ANIMALS ADMISSIONS TO THE GROUP
Wherever possible, all rescued wildlife is primarily the responsibility of the member who is the first point of contact. The wildlife becomes the responsibility of HHWC once all procedures have been followed.
Wherever possible, all rescued wildlife is primarily the responsibility of the member who is the first point of contact. The wildlife becomes the responsibility of HHWC once all procedures have been followed.
- Placement of animals coming in via the groups’ emergency phone will be decided by Chairperson and Animal Welfare Officer
- It is important that the placement is always in the wildlife’s best interest
- The volunteer must have the appropriate experience, time, environment and/or help
- All new members are required to work under a group-nominated mentor
- All animals remain the responsibility of the group
- Animals and/or group owned equipment may not be transferred to another person without prior approval
- Volunteers must relinquish wildlife in their care if the homecare coordinator deems
- they are not appropriately being cared for
- Animals undergoing rehabilitation may not be publicly displayed (DBCA ruling)
- Registration of all wildlife (Responsibility of Animal Welfare Officer)
- Each wildlife will be given a registration certificate with wildlife species, sex, weight, history and release plan together with the volunteers or rehabilitators personal details
- A case number will be allocated to each new wildlife charge
- A copy of the registration certificate will be kept on file (google drive).
- That the placement assessment and future of each “wildlife” species that comes into our care is always in the “wildlife” best interest.
For the purpose of this document “Wildlife” means the native fauna
The wildlife welfare is always our prime concern. There are many factors that come into play when placing Wildlife with the right Carer or Rehabilitator.
All of the below statements need to be taken into consideration on each wildlife placement.
• Occupational health and safety requirements.
• The temperament of the Wildlife .
• The experience and qualifications of the Carer / Rehabilator.
• The physical (and mental) condition of the wildlife
• If the “wildlife” needs extra nursing skills
• The physical environment that each Carer /Rehabilator can offer.
• Weight and stage of development.
• Release or non releasable.
• For Joey’s and other pack “wildlife” there may be needed for a buddy placement as first priority.
It is our policy where ever possible that all Joey’s and packing wildlife have buddy/friends to be raised with.
So please be patient your turn will come, it is an informed professional decision that is made on each placement, it is not a question ever that it should be my turn. This could never be in the wildlife's best interest. Placement of animals coming in via the groups’ emergency phone will be decided by Chairperson and Animal Welfare Officer
Feasibility and fate
Once fauna comes into rehabilitation it is faced with one of four fates:
• Death from its injuries or illness
• Permanent confinement due to factors preventing release
• Successful rehabilitation and release, or
• Euthanasia.
Euthanasia.
Where possible a veterinarian should be consulted regarding the decision to euthanase. Guidelines for determining when to euthanase wildlife
Euthanasia is recommended when any of the following apply:
• The welfare and quality of life of the animal is severely compromised.
• The animal is reasonably suspected to have an infectious disease that may pose a health risk to wild animals.
• There is no suitable release environment (see Section 10.2 Release site selection).
Birds
• A wing is missing or will require amputation.
• A foot or leg requires amputation.
• A wing, leg or foot is injured to the extent that normal flight or locomotion will never be regained.
• It is a passerine, raptor or owl with a missing rear toe.
• It has a recent injury to one or both eyes to the extent that vision will be significantly impaired or lost.
• Its beak is damaged to the extent that self-feeding is not possible (prosthetics must not be used as they are ineffective).
• It is suffering from an injury or disease that means full mobility is not expected to return within three months.
An exception may be made provided rehabilitation is undertaken according to a written management plan endorsed by a veterinarian.
Reptiles and amphibians
• A limb is recently missing or will require amputation and this will severely limit locomotion/swimming.
• It has a recent injury to one or both eyes to the extent that vision will be significantly impaired or lost.
• It is a turtle with an irreparable crack in its carapace and/or plastron involving displaced or missing segments, or exposure of the body cavity.
• It is an amphibian diagnosed with Chytrid fungus.
• It is suffering from an injury or disease that means full mobility is not expected to return within three months. An exception may be made provided rehabilitation is undertaken according to a written management plan endorsed by a veterinarian. 14 Mammals
• A limb is missing or requires amputation and this is reasonably expected to impair the animal’s ability to survive in the wild.
• It has a recent injury to one or both eyes to the extent that vision will be significantly impaired or lost.
• It is suffering from an injury or disease, such that full mobility is not expected to return within three months. An exception may be made provided rehabilitation is undertaken according to a written management plan endorsed by a veterinarian.
Mammals (arboreal)
• It is a species with a prehensile tail and the tail is either missing or requires amputation.
• It is an adult suffering from severe exudative dermatitis to the extent that a prolonged treatment period is required.
Mammals (macropods)
• The tail is injured to the extent that normal locomotion is permanently impeded. Fauna should not be considered for release if they are permanently incapacitated and not likely to survive in the wild. Incapacities include, but are not limited to, impaired vision, lack of fitness, no experience in natural environment, amputated or poorly healed broken limbs, imprinting, or having a high likelihood of infecting wild fauna with disease.
There are other reasons that may preclude fauna from being released and affected animals may also be candidates for euthanasia. Euthanasia by chemical overdose is the preferred method for most classes of fauna but must only be carried out by a veterinarian or person authorised by the Veterinary Surgeons Board under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Source – DBCA Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation