Spots open at rescue group

ANIMAL lovers are being encouraged to volunteer with the Wildlife Rescue Information Network.

The organisation was formed about 25 years ago by passionate wildlife carers who wanted to work together to help vulnerable animals in the region.

WRIN committee member Michelle Mead said the group is all about finding ways humans and animals can live together safely.

“Wildlife in particular become impacted by human interaction, things such as our domestic pets, vehicle collisions, being displaced from clearing land and housing developments, poisoning which can be accidental,” she said.

“Quite often it’s what we do that’s impacted them, so we feel like we need to give something back to help support these populations.

“We run a 24-hour phone which is manned by people in their own homes and they take calls from the community.

“The community can ring up in relation to sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, or even for general information about wildlife or if they’ve got a query about something they’ve seen or are worried about.”

Ms Mead said the organisation was looking for volunteers to help operate the phone line, as well as wildlife rescuers who attend to affected animals and transport them to care for rehabilitation and release.

General volunteers are also needed to support the group’s events like information stalls, and with proper training people can become foster carers in the future.

For more information, search Wildlife Rescue Information Network on Facebook. To get involved as a volunteer, contact 0437 669 239 or 0488 790 448.