Nothing worthwhile is easy. There is so much planning setting up a wildlife group that will take in injured, sick and orphaned native animals. This journey began 6 months ago after much thought. I gathered together a group of friends who were wildlife carers and they accepted my proposal. From there the work began.
Then we chose a name (above) and applied to the ACT Government for a Licence to Care. When that was approved we were set to go. From our "members" we formed a committee to discuss the process and advance the ideas. Everyone had chores to do from designing a Vision and Mission Statement, a logo and a calendar for moving forward. | High on the priority list was applying for grants because we started with NO money. We decided to hold monthly meetings and come back to the committee with completed chores. |
So a logo was designed and a Vision and Mission Statement formulated. We applied for several grants and received a grant from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), the Herpetological Association of the ACT and we are still waiting on several other applications to come through (or not!!). We continue to write grant applications. RSPCA ACT has offered help and the ACT Government is very supportive. |
Next we had to create documents such as a constitution, membership forms, a data base had to be considered and general brochures. TRAINING - the all important happening before we can care for animals!
The RSPCA ACT approached us to form a collaborative partnership. RSPCA would like to run a wildlife hospital and would like us to care for the animals through rehabilitation to release. This sounds easy but there are a lot of details to sort out and to write a Memorandum of Understanding so we know where we stand and the RSPCA knows where they stand.
We have such as great committee, everyone is enthusiastic.
The RSPCA ACT approached us to form a collaborative partnership. RSPCA would like to run a wildlife hospital and would like us to care for the animals through rehabilitation to release. This sounds easy but there are a lot of details to sort out and to write a Memorandum of Understanding so we know where we stand and the RSPCA knows where they stand.
We have such as great committee, everyone is enthusiastic.
Having done much of this work, we finally ran two orientation / training days in November. These days covered topics such as how we would be working in the ACT community, and with the ACT Government and RSPCA. Then a bit about different species that we care for. 40 people attended the training and we had our carers!!
We have 10 carers with equipment and aviaries ready to go.
Aviaries are hard to come by. We continue to trawl the sales and newspapers looking for aviaries.
Telstra has donated a phone for us to use, we found a good plan with Amaysim and we are off and running. Unfortunately this all came together at Christmas time so we did not widely advertise the phone number.
We are receiving animals from the RSPCA and a couple of veterinary practices. All our carers with aviaries are full up. As more carers come online (so to speak) we will advertise further. It is not a good look to be overburdened with animals and not be able to give them the best care.
FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS.............................
Our wonderful committee and their contacts have been so supportive. Chris helped with the design of our brochure, and Judy has done lots of work with the training registrations and follow-ups. Everyone else is there to do what needs to be done. Thanks guys.
And of course we value our sponsors and donors. Without monetary assistance we would not be able to feed the animals and purchase equipment and aviaries.
Most of all it is the VOLUNTEERS, in all capacities, that make ACT Wildlife tick. Thanks to all.
We have 10 carers with equipment and aviaries ready to go.
Aviaries are hard to come by. We continue to trawl the sales and newspapers looking for aviaries.
Telstra has donated a phone for us to use, we found a good plan with Amaysim and we are off and running. Unfortunately this all came together at Christmas time so we did not widely advertise the phone number.
We are receiving animals from the RSPCA and a couple of veterinary practices. All our carers with aviaries are full up. As more carers come online (so to speak) we will advertise further. It is not a good look to be overburdened with animals and not be able to give them the best care.
FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS.............................
Our wonderful committee and their contacts have been so supportive. Chris helped with the design of our brochure, and Judy has done lots of work with the training registrations and follow-ups. Everyone else is there to do what needs to be done. Thanks guys.
And of course we value our sponsors and donors. Without monetary assistance we would not be able to feed the animals and purchase equipment and aviaries.
Most of all it is the VOLUNTEERS, in all capacities, that make ACT Wildlife tick. Thanks to all.