The Bushfires in Australia : some positive stories and ways to help the animals
‘Mountain Mist’ by Caitlin Mills, up for auction in the Art Fights FIre campaign, organised by the Design Files.
Like most of the world, Henrietta and I have been gripped with disbelief at the unfolding scale of the unprecedented bushfires in Australia this summer. Whilst it’s still too early to know how many properties have been damaged, our hearts particularly go out to the animals and people who have been killed, injured or displaced.
So at a time like this, when numbers can seem brutal and the horrors overwhelming, it’s important to see the positive stories which show the kindness and compassion which humans have been showing. The world has generously leant in to support Australians on the ground in the fire-ravaged areas. And countless people from other lands have come to help, or to offer support. It’s a truly wonderful show of global compassion.
If you are wanting to help, here is our (growing & ongoing) list of charities and organisations which are focussed on getting help to the animals.
ANIMALS AUSTRALIA: FOCUSSING ON THE WORST-HIT BUSHFIRE AREAS FOR WILDLIFE ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Animals Australia has quietly being providing incredible support for emergency veterinary teams to travel to the hardest hit bushfire-devastated areas. Eg they have sent several 4WD vehicles to Kangaroo Island for the South Australian volunteer vets to collect injured wildlife in remote areas. They also channel funds to the groups, vets and individuals needing support to help the injured animals in the toughest areas, in all states of Australia which are being buffered by unprecedented bushfires. This organisation is recognised as one of the 12 most effective animal charities in the world (and indeed the first and only Australian organisation to be selected as a ‘standout charity’ by the US based Animal Charity Evaluators) - so you know that your donation will be gratefully, respectively and usefully spent on animal care and protection, where it is needed most.
Donate to the Animals Australia bushfire fund here.
Animals Australia have produced a list of the animal carers needing immediate help here.
(Animals Australia is a charity recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACN 617 080 387.)
WILDLIFE VICTORIA: VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL : VIC WILDLIFE HELP
Wildlife Victoria is acting as an umbrella organisation, dispersing donations through its Bushfire Appeal to the dozens of wildlife sharers and carers around Victoria needing help to rebuild after the fires. The not-for-profit emergency wildlife response service has been providing care and assistance to injured wildlife for over 30 years. During peak periods such as the current bushfire season, it responds to hundreds of calls for help each day. Funding is from donations and project grants.
Donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal here.
More information on what to do to help wildlife injured by the bushfires here.
(Wildlife Victoria is a not for profit organisation, and all donations of AU$2 and over are tax deductible.)
ZOOS VICTORIA: EMERGENCY VETS SENT TO GIPPSLAND FOR WILDLIFE RESCUE & CARE
Zoos Victoria are providing qualified veterinary care on the ground in bushfire affected areas, particularly in Gippsland where the devastation to endangered species is catastrophic. As vocal and acting supporters for the ongoing protection of endangered species, Zoos Victoria’s role will also be critical in the coming months and years to re-establish breeding for endangered wildlife throughout Victoria. To do this, they need help to fund both the emergency veterinary care, as well as scientific intervention (eg researching and providing supplementary feeding for animals who have survived the fires, but are now left with a habitat without adequate food).
Donate to Zoos Victoria Bushfire Emergency Fund here.
(Zoos Victoria is a not for profit organisation, and all donations of AU$2 and over are tax deductible.)
WIRES: WILDLIFE RESCUE & CARE IN NSW
The Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) is based in New South Wales, and is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. They are on the ground in the bushfire-ravaged areas, collecting and assessing injured wildlife, as well as caring for the unprecedented numbers of fire-affected wild animals which have been brought in for care by others.
Donate to WIRES drought and fire emergency rescue fund here.
(WIRES is a registered charity, and all donations of AU$2 and over are tax deductible.)
WARRIORS 4 WILDLIFE : rescue OF NATIVE ANIMALS IN VICTORIA
A not-for-profit animal rescue organisation, Warriors 4 Wildlife operates in Victoria and provides support for both native wildlife, as well as farmed and domesticated animals. Currently, they are providing medication, shelter and care to a growing number of injured and displaced animals as the result of the bushfires. If you can help with either a donation of money to go towards medications, or a donation of specific medical supplies which can be dropped off at their collection points, this registered rescue organisation would be very grateful.
W4W have opened a drop-off centre at Hastings, Victoria, to recieve donations of specific animal medicine and supplies. This is possible due to the generous donation of their factory, by Tracey and Scotty May. The drop off centre is located at Factory 7/ 1921 Hastings Rd, Hastings, Victoria. Open 10 am - 3 pm Mon - Frid, with volunteers ready to accept donations.
Donate to Warriors 4 Wildlife here.
How to help in other ways: W4W has an up to date page on their facebook account, listing which animal medications and foods are required. It also lists the drop off points around Melbourne and Victoria. More details here.
(Warriors 4 Wildlife is a not for profit organisation, and all donations of AU$2 and over are tax deductible.)
KANGAROO ISLAND KOALAS : rescue OF NATIVE ANIMALS ON KANGAROO ISLAND
A fundraising campaign has been launched by the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, to raise funds for much-needed medical supplies for the many injured koalas, and other native animals, who are suffering as a result of the bushfires and their aftermath on the ecologically-rich island. Funds raised go to purchasing medications, food and supplies such as bandages and medicinal creams. Volunteers on the ground include qualified vets, vet nurses and wildlife carers, as well as help from the Army and SAVEM (South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management) vets.
The koalas on Kangaroo Island are the only chlamydia-free population of the well-known marsupials left in the country, so the decimation to their numbers is of particular concern to the overall ecology of Australia. The park is also currently caring for bushfire-effected kangaroos, wallabies, eagles and possums amongst the growing menagerie.
The campaign had an initial target of AU$15k. Currently close to AU$1.25M has been raised, which is absolutely brilliant. Every dollar will be gratefully put towards the much needed care for the animals on the island.
Donate to the Kangaroo Island koalas and wildlife fund here.
HANDY WITH A KNITTING NEEDLE? HERE’S ANOTHER WAY TO HELP THE ANIMALS : NATIVE ANIMALS IN ALL AUSTRALIAN STATES
If you are handy with needle and thread, the Animal Rescue Craft Guild are looking for volunteers to donate knitted goods for joeys, bats and possums which have been injured or displaced by the bushfires. Full details on their facebook page, with up to date notices of what is required - but at the moment they are still needing joey bags, nests, and dog blankets.
Contact Animal Rescue Craft Guild to see what you can make to help them most here.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife : help for Wildlife Heroes ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Operating as the tandem support for all national parks across the country, the not for profit Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife is a registered charity which works alongside parks’ staff in caring for injured wildlife.
They have launched a bushfire appeal for funds to both purchase medical equipment for injured wildlife, as well as support the many volunteer wildlife workers who take time off work to look after the animals.
Donate to the bushfire emergency rescue appeal for National Parks & Wildlife directly here.
For the next 48 hours, 100% of profits from sales of Timbuktoo sustainable activewear are being donated to the National Parks and Wildlife Emergency Rescue Appeal and to the Bendigo Bank Bushfire Disaster Appeal.
(FNPW is a not for profit organisation, and all donations of AU$2 and over are tax deductible.)
RSPCA: HELP FOR FARM ANIMALS ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Whilst the koalas and kangaroos are getting lots of focus on social media, there’s also a desperate need to help domesticated animals injured by the bushfires too. One of the organisations which focusses on farm animals and pets (as well as wildlife) is the RSPCA, and they are also hoping for kind donations to keep their inspectors on the road to find and assist injured animals. As one of the first responders allowed on the ground alongside the local land services, many of the worst cases are treated by the RSPCA teams. Funds donated are are also used to purchase much needed animal medical supplies. RSPCA teams also assist in evacuating animals ahead of, and during, the firepaths.
The RSPCA is currently preparing for long-term rescue and rehabiliation as a result of the fires, as well as emergency responses. All funds raised on the bushfire appeals goes directly to these efforts.
To donate to the NSW branch of the RSPCA go here.
To support the Victorian branch of the RSPCA go here. The Mobile Animal Clinic will be kept out in the bushfire regions, under the direction of Agriculture Victoria, for as long as it is needed to help animals in distress.
In South Australia, the RSPCA is responding to animals ravaged and displaced by the fires in both the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island. Qualified vetinary staff have been deployed to the Island to help with assessment and treatment of the many injured animals: including domesticated & farmed animals + wildlife. To support the RSPCA South Australia Bushfire Appeal, go here.
(RSPCA is a not for profit organisation, and all donations of AU$2 and over are tax deductible.)
Art Fights Fire : ART AUCTION : FUNDS FOR VIC CFA + NSW WIRES
The stunning artwork in our cover image is just one of the beautiful pieces donated to a fund raising art auction. It’s by Melbourne photographer Cailtin Mills, and can be bidded for here.
To see the full range of artworks up for auction for this fundraiser, which has been organised by the Design Files, go here.