Local volunteer group takes in-need birds under their wing

LOCAL volunteer group Geelong Region Bird Rescue is on a mission to rescue and rehome lost, surrendered and injured birds between the Bellarine Peninsula, Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast.

Founder of the group Dave Wright said he has always loved birds and been passionate about their welfare, so when he saw the need for a bird-rescue group in the area it was only natural to start one up.

The group now receives about five calls a day requesting help or seeking advice.

“Our major focus is on the welfare of the birds and making sure they are kept in the most healthy and caring place they can be,” Mr Wright said.

“We help injured birds if we can, or try to make sure they get vet care when needed.

“We provide our rehoming service for birds to discourage people having to give up their pets to just anyone, usually to the detriment of the bird, because they can’t keep them any longer for many different reasons.

“So many birds are kept in terrible conditions which is so sad, we are just doing our small part to help them.”

Mr Wright said volunteers travel to the Surf Coast, Greater Geelong and the Bellarine to pick up rescued birds or pet birds that need a new home.

“We keep the birds for as long as needed until an appropriate home is found. That may take days, weeks or months, it doest matter to us how long we need to keep the birds as their welfare is our priority,” Mr Wright said.

When a bird is ready to be adopted the group posts the bird on its Facebook page and does thorough checks on potential adopters to ensure they are responsibly rehomed.

Mr Wright said the long-term goal for Geelong Region Bird Rescue is to set up a bird-rescue sanctuary that people can visit and adopt birds from.

“Our vision for the future is to have a dedicated care centre and sanctuary large enough to cater for the care of all the birds that need help in the area,” he said.

“If anyone has somewhere like an unused piece of land where we could make this dream a reality please contact us.”

Adoption fees vary for different bird species with 100 per cent of the fees going towards the care of birds held by the group. To find out more, donate birdseed, report a lost or injured bird or seek advice head to www.facebook.com/Geelong-Region-Bird-Rescue-2301893779936056/.