Carers seek help to let animals go
COULD you help rehabilitate and release a sick or orphaned possum, lizard or bird?
An Ipswich-based native animal rescue group is seeking volunteer carers and release sites for increasing numbers of rescued animals.
Carers are required to feed, house and attend to native animals, while people on rural properties can sign up to host a small trailer while a rehabilitated animal explores its new home.
Orphan Native Animal Rear and Release Association (ONARR) vice president Tara Goulter said the group was urgently seeking release sites.
"We're looking for people who own acreage in rural areas away from highways, where we could put a release trailer for about a week," Ms Goulter said.
"They wouldn't really have any contact with the animal as this is a stage where a possum or bird or lizard is getting used to its new home and will eventually move out of the cage and into a nearby habitat.
"The animals can't be released on properties with dogs or cats that roam, either. "
Ms Goulter said ONARR was looking for the safest sites in bushland around Ipswich.
She said the group also required genuine foster carers who had time and appropriate cage or aviary space.
"The ideal carer would have a large cage or would be willing to get one," Ms Goulter said.
"They also need to have time and be able to commit to taking on animals as we have so many coming through at the moment.
"It's all done on a volunteer basis so carers will take on food, shelter and other costs."
Ms Goulter said prospective carers and owners of possible release could contact ONARR to discuss how they could be involved in the group.
"All of our carers go through screening and training to make sure they can look after all native animals," Ms Goulter said.
"Many of us are from Ipswich so there'll be a bit of a network."
Ms Goulter said the Ipswich region was a great place to care for and release animals because of surrounding bushland.
Email admin@onarr.org.au or phone secretary Beverley Clarke on 3294 6264 to find out more.
