06/07/2025
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✅We surveyed wildlife rescuers and these are 30 things they want you to know ✅
1. Save local wildlife rescue numbers in your phone. In an emergency, seconds matter more than a Google search.
2. Feeding wildlife can kill them. Bread, milk, pet food, mince and processed snacks can be fatal or create dangerous dependencies.
3. Call before you touch. Injured animals can be stressed or dangerous. If you are unsure how to rescue safely then call a wildlife rescuer first. They can talk you through it.
4. Contain it—don’t cuddle it. Keep the animal warm, quiet, and dark. Human contact can cause shock or imprinting.
5. Wildlife carers are unpaid volunteers. They give their time, homes, and money. Respect and kindness go a long way.
6. Vet clinics accept injured wildlife. You can take wildlife to a vet. They do not charge for surrendering wildlife.
7. Not all rescues succeed—but all efforts matter. Every attempt helps reduce suffering or gathers data for future protection.
8. Your cat is a predator. Even well-fed cats kill wildlife. Keep them indoors or in outdoor cat enclosures.
9. Slow down at dawn and dusk. Wildlife is most active then, and road collisions peak at these times.
10. Avoid barbed wire, glue traps and fruit tree netting. They cause horrific injuries. Wildlife-safe options are easy to find and install.
11. Wildlife is in suburbs because we destroyed their habitat. They aren't trespassing—we are. Providing habitat and water sources for them matters.
12. Baby animals need specialised care. Cow’s milk or incorrect feeding can kill. Call for expert help.
13. Don't raise orphaned wildlife yourself. Even with love, you’ll likely cause harm. It’s also illegal without a license.
14. Don’t assume someone else will stop. If it’s safe, check. If an animal is deceased then move them off the road if possible.
15. Keep pouches, pillow cases, towels, and gloves in your car. Being prepared means you can help safely.
16. Avoid anti-coagulant rodenticides. These types of rat bait kill indiscriminately.
17. Don’t rely on social media for rescue advice. Time is critical. Call an actual rescue group or hotline.
18. Every rescued animal plays a role in its ecosystem. Even one rescue helps maintain biodiversity and balance.
19. Your kindness matters. Whether it's calling, donating, or pulling over, your actions count.
20. Wild animals don’t make good pets. They need specialised diets, care, and freedom. It’s harmful—and illegal.
21. Always check pouches and surroundings after hitting wildlife. A joey or baby may still be alive inside or nearby.
22. Leash your dog in wildlife areas. Even friendly dogs can injure or scare native animals.
23. Bonfires, firewood piles, and hollows often hide wildlife. Always check before lighting or clearing.
24. Tree hollows take over 100 years to form. Removing trees removes homes for countless species.
25. Don’t relocate wildlife without a professional. It can cause trauma, starvation, or separation from young.
26. Don’t delay help for a selfie. Take a quick pic if needed, but call a rescuer first.
27. Don’t throw food out your car window. It attracts animals to roads and increases roadkill risk.
28. Hurting wildlife is illegal—even animals you consider to be "pests. Native animals are protected under animal cruelty laws.
29. Let nature take its course" doesn't apply if humans caused the harm. - Cars, fences, pets, windows and habitat destruction aren't natural—intervention is our responsibility.
30. Wildlife doesn’t think like we do—don’t judge its behaviour by human standards. - A “calm” animal may be in shock. A “friendly” one may be too weak to flee. Always assess with expert help, not assumptions.
