Helping the Helpers

During this year’s cold Nelson winter, we were looking for some alternate indoor activities. A couple of our volunteers made pouches for wildlife rescue. Helping the Helpers. Wildlife rescuers and carers are mostly volunteers. It is a task that takes great dedication and skill.

Pouches are needed in various sizes as there are many different animals at different stages of development that are cared for by the animal rescuers. We found patterns at the Animal Rescue Cooperative Craft Guild (ARCCG) and WIRES websites. Every pouch needs linings that can be swapped out and washed, so it all adds up to a lot of fabric and sewing.

Val’s big bag of pouches went to the Hamilton Wildlife Shelter. We found them using the Victorian Government Help for Injured Wildlife Tool (link below). The South Australian government has similar resources.

Wildlife Victoria can be reached at (https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/contact-us) and on (03) 8400 7300. There are other statewide wildlife rescue networks who may also be able to put you in contact with a carer. Vets are often willing to lend a hand. Social media also lists some wildlife rescue contacts.

Some harm to wildlife is avoidable. The road kills near Nelson are tragic. Slow down at dawn and dusk. Stay alert.

In Victoria, wildlife may only be cared for legally by vets and authorised Wildlife Shelters and Foster Carers. Wild animals require skilled care. Without it, wildlife may not recover or may lose their natural behaviours.

The main photo is of a joey which is just starting to grow fur, “velveting”. Old Ted looks a bit grumpy in his pouch.