You’re still helping your Aussie friends affected by the bushfires

Top image credit: Rocklily Wombats and HUHA

To assist with the bushfire recovery efforts, we joined forces with HUHA (Humans helping animals) - New Zealand’s largest no-kill shelter - to assist in bushfire recovery efforts in Australia. Over two months, your support helped build four wildlife triage centres and a wildlife rehab facility. 

You also helped licensed caregivers rescue and care for rescued animals by providing food, vet treatments and rebuilding damaged shelters.

Kal (pictured) is one of many wombats you helped. Sadly, this young fellow was orphaned by the bushfires. When he arrived at the caregiver’s property, he had a nasty abscess near his eye. And that’s where supporters like you came in. Kal was the first patient treated at the Veterinary Triage Clinic you helped set up in New South Wales. And he’s doing really well. Once he’s big and strong Kal will be released back into the wild thanks to you. 

Orphaned baby wombat Kal. Credit: HUHA

Kal again – because he’s just so photogenic. Credit: HUHA

You also helped treat an eastern grey kangaroo named Olive (pictured). She was badly burned in the bushfires. When she was found she was emaciated and extremely stressed. Olive was taken to one of the local wildlife carers and the team from the Veterinary Triage Clinic came to visit her every day. They sedated her, treated her burns and bandaged her feet.

After several weeks of care and food, paid for by kind supporters like you, Olive made a full recovery and was released back into the wild.

You helped care for Olive. Credit: HUHA

Along with supporting these recovery efforts on the ground, you’ve made it possible for us to plan and provide long-term strategies including capacity regional vet building for wildlife care.

You’re helping us work with Macquarie University to assess Australia’s existing framework for disaster risk response and our existing principles and laws for animals in disaster. The research will provide an assessment of their adequacy and include recommendations for future improvements.  And our Protect your Pet in a Bushfire checklist is being distributed ahead of the next fire season to help pet owners plan ahead to avoid disaster.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to help ensure vulnerable Australian animals continue to be cared for long after the bushfire crisis.

After several weeks of care and food, paid for by kind supporters like you, Olive made a full recovery and was released back into the wild.