Friendship and community in wildlife rescue
At Wildlife Victoria we are incredibly grateful for our network of skilled and passionate volunteers who dedicate their time to helping our native animals when they need us most.
Volunteering in wildlife rescue is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging and emotional work. Volunteering with Wildlife Victoria means you become part of a community of people who have both a passion to help our native animals and to help others do the same.
Meet Chelsea and Jen
Chelsea and Jen were friends going out for walks with their dogs when they kept coming across sick, injured and displaced wildlife, especially kangaroos.
After calling wildlife rescuers for help multiple times, they became inspired to get involved, make a difference to wildlife, and meet likeminded people – many of whom are now their closest friends. Since becoming Wildlife Victoria rescue volunteers, Chelsea and Jen have completed numerous training sessions together and have rescued hundreds of native animals.
Meet Chelsea and Jen
Chelsea and Jen were friends going out for walks with their dogs when they kept coming across sick, injured and displaced wildlife, especially kangaroos.
After calling wildlife rescuers for help multiple times, they became inspired to get involved, make a difference to wildlife, and meet likeminded people – many of whom are now their closest friends. Since becoming Wildlife Victoria rescue volunteers, Chelsea and Jen have completed numerous training sessions together and have rescued hundreds of native animals.
“We are lucky that we have had the privilege to be able to go out with each other to rescues. We both have the same mindset, we want to show the most care, kindness and compassion to every animal that we rescue. We mainly rescue kangaroos, so being able to build trust with them through communication is amazing. We’ve worked together to gain the skills that we have, to be the best rescuers that we can be, and are always willing to learn along the way.”
They also credit their amazing mentors who have helped them to gain the rescue skills that they have today, and the many amazing fellow rescuers who have been so generous in sharing their knowledge and providing assistance right from the start; be it phone support, in-person support, or just someone to talk to.
Even though we can rescue individually, and go out to cases by ourselves, we enjoy working together to help them. It’s always nice to know someone has our back if we need it.
Chelsea and Jen describe each other’s support as exceptionally powerful through the hardest times, especially when easing animals' pain and suffering.
We can always debrief about the rescue we attended, some are heartbreaking and hard and having someone to talk to is invaluable.
A fortunate eastern-grey kangaroo joey rescued by Chelsea and Jen
Of course, our volunteers would not be able to do the work they do without compassionate members of the public who see injured wildlife and stop to help. They wish to pass on their gratitude to all who make the call to help our sick or injured wildlife.
Thank you, it’s the kindest thing you can do. Instead of the lengthy suffering they endure, they can get help faster. Please help us help them.
Thank you, Chelsea and Jen, for all your incredible and compassionate work in protecting our wildlife!
If you are interested in becoming a Wildlife Victoria volunteer head to our volunteering page to find out more.
If you come across sick or injured wildlife, please call our emergency response service on 03 8400 7300.
Donations Doubled!
From now until 12pm Thursday 25th September, EthicalJobs.com.au is matching donations to Wildlife Victoria, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000!
Help us reach this target so that we can continue to provide life-saving emergency care to our native animals during our busiest period of the year. Every dollar counts. Click below to get your donation matched.