With countless numbers killed by the devastating fires in Australia, more help is needed to save native animals. Some species are threatened by extinction. Although it’s difficult for people outside of Australia to volunteer except for trained emergency personnel, you can still help through monetary donations. Additionally, you can also send material goods. Read more about which animal care organizations are worth donating to.
Helping Native Animals from the Fires in Australia
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Suite 5, Hay St.
Subiaco Western Australia 6008, Australia
As the country’s largest private landowner for wildlife conservation, the AWC is working to support organizations that help save wildlife from Australian fires. An independent non-profit organization, AWC owns or manages 6.5 million hectares (16 million+ acres) and offers 29 wildlife sanctuaries to 1,700 native animal species threatened by extinction. This includes mammals, birds, and reptiles. In addition to individual monetary donations, AWC suggests giving in other ways. For instance, this can consist of volunteering and fundraising.
Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
1638 Steve Irwin Way
Beerwah Queensland 4519, Australia
Led by Terri Irwin, wife of Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is a leader in treating injured animals; along Australia’s Sunshine Coast, the hospital has treated over 90,000 animals. This includes thousands affected by the Australian fires. However, their work is far from over, and they seek funds. Moreover, these funds are needed to build a new ward for flying foxes, a species vulnerable to wildfire extinction.
Australia Zoo
The initial goal of $150,000 has already been reached. However, more donations are needed to treat the thousands of animals brought to the hospital. Australia Zoo was founded in 1970 by Steve Irwin’s parents, Bob and Lyn. After their son died in 2006, ownership of the zoo was transferred to Terri. Additionally, their daughter daughter Bindi makes significant contributions to the organization. Equally important is my son Robert Clarence Irwin also helps with feeding animals. In fact, at age 18, he is hosting his television program, Robert’s Real Life Adventures.
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Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
Cnr Roto Place & Lord St.
Port Macquarie, New South Wales 2444, Australia
Located north of Sydney in New South Wales, the Koala Hospital is a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility. Onsite has a treatment room, eight intensive care units, and a rehabilitation yard. Currently, numerous koalas are treated for burns and other injuries onsite. However, significant surgeries and X-rays are done nearby Port Macquarie Veterinary Hospital. In addition to individual monetary donations, Koala Hospital offers a “koala adoption” service where donors can select featured koalas. There is also an option to “plant a koala food tree and small gifts like branded refrigerator magnets.
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RSPCA New South Wales
201 Rookwood Road
Yagoona, New South Wales, 2199, Australia
RSPCA Australia is seeking donations for all its independent units for the devastating Australian fires, but none more important than in New South Wales. The second oldest unit of the RSPCA, founded in 1873, the NSW branch operates nine shelters and four veterinary hospitals that play a critical role in rescuing and rehabilitating animals. RSCPA inspectors (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have also worked alongside other service organizations in fire zones and helped evacuate animals.
The Rescue Collective
Unit 4, 55 Tenby St.
Mount Gravatt, Queensland
Brisbane 4122, Australia
Volunteers at the Rescue Collective are so busy that they might not be taking any clothing donations. However, the Brisbane-based non-profit still seeks donations for Australia fire victims. The Collective also operates an Animal Rescue Craft Guild on Facebook, where donations pay for sewing materials or knitting items like bat wraps and joey pouches. The Craft Guild’s Facebook page also provides instructions on how to make animal pouches for hanging possums, wallabies, kangaroos, and more. Founded in 2018, the Rescue Collective partners with Animal Rescue Freecycle.
WIRES Wildlife Rescue
Suite 39, Lifestyle Working
117 Old Pittwater Road
Brookvale, New South Wales 2100, Australia
Founded in 1985, WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charity. The non-profit offers a number of services provided by its staff, qualified experts, and volunteers. These services include rescue and care of injured animals from the fires in Australia. In addition, emergency shelter, food, and water is provided. WIRES also operates 28 branches and provides wildlife rescue training and other services like operating phone lines from more than 2,500 volunteers.
WWF Australia
Level 1, One Smail St.
Ultimo, Sydney, New South Wales 2007
The Australian World Wildlife Fund (WWF) unit is seeking donations to help care for injured wildlife and their homes. One of the country’s most respected conservation organizations, the WWF provides several services, such as establishing partnerships with wildlife response teams, habitat restoration, and providing solutions for future generations, such as mitigating climate change and nature conservation.
Zoos Victoria
Elliott Ave.
Parkville, Victoria, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Zoos Victoria is accepting donations towards its Emergency Wildlife Fund, providing emergency veterinary care and other services. The administrator of three zoos in the Australian state of Victoria, including Australia’s oldest, Melbourne Zoo, Zoos Victoria, is bravely helping injured animals in dangerous Australian fire zones and are providing solutions towards long-term recovery. Since establishing the wildlife fund, many American zoos have contributed to the cause, including $10,000 from the Columbus Zoo, Miami Zoo, and Oklahoma City Zoo.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.