The State Government is boosting support for Victoria’s wildlife rescue organisation – ensuring sick, injured and orphaned wildlife get the support they need, when and where they need it.
On Friday 19 January, Minister for Environment Steve Dimopolous announced the recipients of the latest round of the Labor Government’s Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants program – which supports wildlife shelter operators and foster carers with up to $3,000 in funding.
The government’s $230,000 investment will support 102 wildlife organisations – including 34 wildlife shelter operators – to continue to care for thousands of native animals across Victoria every year including kangaroos, koalas, possums, wombats, birds and reptiles.
Bungalook Creek Wildlife Shelter Inc received $3,000, Upwey Wildlife Shelter received $2,988, Kurrara Wildlife Shelter received $2,781 and Fly by Night Bat Clinic was given $3,000 this year.
Last year, more than 100 wildlife carers and shelters across Victoria received grants, helping to fund wildlife enclosures, medication, feed, rescue equipment and veterinary fees.
To further support and guide the work of wildlife rescue volunteers, the government has also released the Victorian Wildlife Rehabilitation Guidelines – a comprehensive resource to enhance the welfare of Victoria’s sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
Victoria’s Wildlife Rehabilitator program runs yearly, recognising the important role of wildlife rehabilitators in dedicating themselves to the health and rehabilitation of injured or displaced wildlife so Victoria’s native animals can safely return to the wild.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested $5.4 million to support the work of wildlife foster carers, authorised wildlife shelter operators and key wildlife organisations. This is part of the state’s biggest investment into protecting biodiversity and environment in history – investing $582 million, since 2014.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said Victoria’s wildlife shelters and foster carers do “such important work” to help rehabilitate “injured and orphaned native animals so that they can be released back into the wild”.
“These grants are about supporting and recognising our dedicated volunteers who selflessly give their time and expertise to help sick, injured and orphaned wildlife,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
