Bushfires - February 2009
We will keep you updated on events via regular updates to this webpage.
Bushfire season is a gut wrenching time of year for many but often wildlife are the forgotten ones. It is a horrific scene that is filled with sadness and at times joy for the animals you help save.
The fires that have hit Victoria are really going to impact on all species of wildlife for many weeks to come. While many may have been killed in the fires, some may have survived but are still out their with burns and as you can imagine there is little food source remaining in these areas as well.
Once a fire has passed, wildlife continue to suffer for up to a year later while their habitats regenerate. For those who were badly burnt it can take many months in care to recover. Many animals lose their entire family and have no family to return to while many other animals will go unfound.
It is dedicated volunteers who spend many weeks searching some fire grounds to find those animals that are still suffering weeks after the fire has been put out. Most animals found at this stage are suffering severe burns and infections.
Costs are overwhelming for both safety equipment, medicines, bandages and x-rays to rehabilitate the wildlife that can be saved. If you would like to assist with a donation, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Injured animals
Wildlife
If you need advice on animals effected by fire, please contact:
- Narelle 0417 506 941
- Fiona 0418 312 358
- Candy 0437 115 948
- Katie 0425 769 129
If you are interested in making a donation of supplies, please contact us via email first so we can organise delivery of the items. We need to make sure that items delivered are kept somewhere secure.
At this stage we have received heaps of bedding for the animals, so are ok for this items at the moment.
Domestic animals
If you have a domestic animal that has been effected by the fire, we would recommend using:
- Pets At Home - Vet Clinic (Lort Smith)
- Plenty Valley
- Westfield Shopping Centre
- McDonalds Rd, South Morang
Phone: 03) 9407 2030
How can I help
We are receiving a number of calls from people who are wanting to help out. Most people won't have done the required training to help out on doing fire ground searches. This training is extensive and a compulsory prerequisite and requires people with specialised equipment, experience and knowledge of protocols and codes of conduct for these situations.
We have received hundreds of emails from people who want to help with searches and caring for wildlife. We thank everyone of you for your generosity and offers of support.
Unfortunately at this stage we are asking that only vets, vet nurses, experienced rescuers or carers and those that have completed the necessary fire training to contact us via email rescuers@bigpond.com
What else can I do
- If you have a property that has been affected by fires, we can organise a team to conduct a search of the property for injured wildlife once it has been declared safe. Please contact us, if we can be of assistance. While we are going to be really busy for many weeks to come, we will try our best to help as many people and animals as possible.
- Our phone lines are extremely busy at the moment and in some areas we are not getting network coverage, so please be patient if you don't get in contact with us straight away. For any non urgent enquiries, please send us an email or text message and we will respond to you.
- Consider attending training days so you can become more involved helping rescue & care for wildlife.
- Please make sure you put out bowls of water for the animals at the moment.
- Be careful driving in areas that have been effected by fire as animals will be on the move in search of food and refuge.
- Look out for any injured animals for many weeks to come.
- Consider making a financial donation. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible and will be used directly to rescue, treat and provide intensive care & rehabilitation and help shelters that have been effected.
- We would really appreciate fuel vouchers, so why not purchase one and send it into us at the postal address below. This will help us keep searching and transporting animals.
