Wildcare is licensed by the Department of Environment Tourism Science and Innovation (DETSI) in Queensland and holds a Group Rehabilitation Permit. This permit allows Wildcare to endorse eligible members, who have completed relevant training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife for the purposes of rehabilitating them and returning them to the wild.
The organisation was originally formed as the Australian Koala Hospital Association Incorporated in late 1993 by Dr Jonathon Hanger. It became an Incorporated Association and registered charity in 1994 and is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.
In June 1996 after the government strongly urged the wildlife carers in its group NAVOS (Native Animal Volunteer Service) to become independent, three wildlife carers (Eleanor Hanger, Gail Gipp and Sharon White) elected to form their own volunteer carer’s wildlife rescue operation called “Wildcare”. They started a 24-hour wildlife emergency hotline for the Gold Coast region. The geographical area covered rapidly expanded, reaching from the NSW border, west to Boonah and north to the Logan River. A group ‘umbrella’ rescue permit was issued by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service enabling current registered Wildcare rehabilitators to be able to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned native animals for release back into natural habitat.
In 2008 the members of the organisation elected to formally change its name to Wildcare Australia Inc.
Wildcare operates predominantly by volunteers. Volunteer roles are wide and diverse so we ensure that each person can find an opportunity to contribute. We operate in South-east Queensland covering from the Queensland/New South Wales border north to the Sunshine Coast. Our main operational area includes the Gold Coast, Logan, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Volunteer roles rnclude activities such as:
● HOTLINE TEAM – the first line of contact with Wildcare and volunteers coordinate wildlife rescues.
● RESCUERS – safely rescue sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
● TRANSPORTERS – transfer rescued wildlife from rescuers and vet clinics to local wildlife hospitals.
● WILDLIFE CARERS – care for wildlife in their own homes to aid their recovery, including medicating, feeding and preparing for release to the wild.
● SPECIES COORDINATORS – highly experienced wildlife carers who support and mentor carers.
● FUNDRAISING & SPONSORSHIP TEAM – coordinates fundraising activities and liaises with potential sponsors.
● SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM – Media creation for social media platforms, information sheets etc. We need to get our message out there!
