HOW YOU CAN HELP
Volunteer or Care
i found a sick or injured koala
How do you know if a koala needs attention? All of these situations may require some urgent attention:
- A koala that has been hit by a car.
- A koala that has been attacked by a dog.
- A koala sitting on the ground or low in a tree that makes to attempt to move if approached.
- A koala with eyes that are swollen, gummed up or have a discharge.
- A small koala joey that is on its own.
- A koala that has a wet or dirty bottom.
- A koala that seems to be unconscious or injured.
- A koala in imminent danger or where it should not be.
what should i do?
- Remember your safety first!
- Call the Rescue Hotline with the koala’s location as soon as possible.
- Stay with the koala if possible.
- Keep the koala quiet and keep dogs and children at a safe distance away.
- If possible, cover the koala with a thick blanket, box, or upturned laundry basket.
- Please report any deceased koalas. If it’s a female it could be carrying a joey. Don’t try to look for yourself but call the Hotline for immediate rescue.
what shouldn't i do?
- Never encourage a koala to climb a tree if you suspect it needs treatment – this just prolongs the rescue attempt and time may be of the essence- getting it medical attention may be prolonged.
- Never pick up or try to cuddle a koala. They can be unpredictable and have extremely sharp claws and teeth which can inflict serious injury and cause unnecessary stress.
- Never pull a joey out of a pouch. It’s best to call an experience koala rescuer to retrieve the body and transport both to a wild life facility.
i want to become a carer
how else can i volunteer?
There is so much you can do to volunteer and help our cause that doesn’t require you to be a trained carer or donate money.
Other things you can do to help include:
- Volunteer your time with your local wildlife group.
- Get trained in identifying and cutting eucalypt varieties for koala food.
- Cleaning enclosures
- Volunteer your time with your local bush care group.
- Sew pouches and bedding for our rescue cages.
- Help with handing out brochures and fundraising activities.
How can i help around my home?
- Plant native flowering shrubs and trees to provide food and shelter for the benefit of all native wildlife.
- Avoid using barbed wire.
- Make your swimming pool wildlife safe by tying a rope across the water or installing a floating device.
- Keep cats indoors and dogs locked up at night.
- Donate to help pay for the cost involved running rescue vehicles.
- Donate unused blankets and towels.
i'd like to become a carer
Koala care is a very specialised skill. They are a large animal prone to erratic behaviour and require large enclosures. They have very specialised diets and can be difficult feeders. As well as this, they can die within 2-3 days without their proper diet.
For this reason, it is recommended you start with easily managed and smaller wildlife such as possums or gliders first for your training. We recommend volunteering with other wildlife rescue organisations initially for your training while you become accustomed to caring for animals and slowly expose yourself to koala training and care.
If you’d like to talk more, contact us for a chat.
What does being a carer look like?
As a rescuer or carer you will need to:
- Drive hundreds of kilometres per month rescuing and picking up koalas and wildlife in need.
- Provide ambulance delivery of koalas and wildlife to a wildlife hospital.
- Provide 24/7 care to feed, care and raise koalas and wildlife so they are fit to be released back to their natural habitat.
- Provide a support network to assist other rescuers and carers.
- Have adequate funds to provide care for each rescued animal.