Volunteer with WIRES: A Genuine Call to Make a Difference
Understanding the Commitment
Joining WIRES as a volunteer is a fulfilling journey that comes with responsibilities. Before embarking on your wildlife rescue adventure, it's important to consider some crucial aspects.
- The Urgent Need: Over 180,000 calls for wildlife rescue advice flood the WIRES Rescue Office annually. These calls represent the plea for assistance from sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife across NSW.
- Your Commitment Level: As a WIRES volunteer, you can choose your level of involvement. Whether you opt for rescue, rehabilitation, or administrative roles, your contribution is vital to our mission. Volunteers can decide how often they get involved and the amount of time you commit is flexible based on your circumstances. Every offer of assistance, no matter how small, is welcomed.
- Animal Well-being: WIRES volunteers work hand-in-hand with vets and experienced caregivers to make decisions in the animals' best interest. This may involve developing care plans, finding specialist care, or, in some cases, euthanasia.
- Equipment Essentials: Some equipment is essential to carry out wildlife rescue and care. Equipment does not need to be expensive or sophisticated to begin with and may be accumulated over time. Your local branch may be able to help with sourcing the equipment you require. WIRES training courses will provide you with more detailed information about your needs.
- Pets, Children, and Wildlife Care: Having pets and/or young children doesn't exclude you from being a wildlife rescuer or carer. However, it's crucial to keep wildlife in care away from people (including unnecessary contact with carers) and pets to minimise animal stress. We must always act in the animal's best interest, ensuring they can be successfully released back into their natural environment.
Remember, it's illegal to take native animals from the wild and keep them as pets. Wildlife that comes to WIRES stays in care until they can be released back into the wild. Unnecessary contact with wild animals undergoing rehabilitation can induce stress and impede their ability to carry out natural behaviours.
Equip Yourself for the Journey
Once you've considered these aspects and are ready to make a difference, WIRES offers comprehensive training programs to prepare you for the challenges and rewards of wildlife rescue and care.
Rescue 101: The Fast Track to Making a Difference. Dive into the world of wildlife rescue with our Rescue 101 program. This is the fastest and easiest way to contribute to the rescue and transport of common sick and injured native animals.
Rescue and Immediate Care Course: Foundations for Wildlife Rescue and Beyond. The Foundation course for future wildlife warriors. The Rescue and Immediate Care Course is the essential foundation course for all aspiring wildlife rescuers and caregivers. It equips you with the knowledge to join your local branch, rescue various native animals, and provide immediate care when required.
Community Mange Treatment Program: Become a Wombat Warrior. If you reside in an area with wombats and wish to help treat mange, our Community Mange Treatment Program offers a great starting point.
Advanced Species Courses: Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator. Once the Rescue and Immediate Care Course has been completed, WIRES members are able to access the WIRES suite of species rescue or care courses such as avian, mammal, reptile and bat training. If you'd like to become a wildlife rehabilitator, this is the pathway for you
Getting Started
Ready to take the first step? Explore the details of Rescue 101, the Rescue and Immediate Care Course, and the Community Mange Treatment Course to discover more about each program and how to enrol. If you have any concerns or questions about accessing our training, contact training@wires.org.au.
Join WIRES today, and let's create a better world for our native wildlife together.