Wildlife Shelter Carer

The Project

Every year, hundreds of thousands of native animals are injured, orphaned or become sick, often because of interaction with people or pets.

This wildlife shelter in country Australia is one of the largest unsupported privately owned wildlife shelters in Australia and for more than 30 years, it has rescued and rehabilitated sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife and loved them back to health to be returned to the natural environment.

Since it receives no recurrent funding from governments, the shelter relies on the contribution of volunteers and donations from the public to keep it running.

The Location

The shelter is located in Stanley State Forest, a beautifully preserved natural bushland overflowing with lush, green vegetation and magnificent wildlife. Rich in history and in natural resources (granite, gold, clay & sparkling spring water), this thriving region is built upon the solid values and vision of its pioneers and miners.  Home to many talented artists and artisans from around the world, it is brimming with arts, crafts & antiques and has earned an impressive reputation for its spectacular annual festivals and events.

The area is known as Bungambrawatha, or homeland, by the Wiradjuri people, the Aboriginal people who first settled here. Speaking many different languages and dialects, they would perform corroboree, initiation and marriage ceremonies, share stories, exchange knowledge and skills, hunt and eat along the banks and around the billabongs of the Murray.

The river and surrounding hills and valleys have preserved the sites and artefacts of this rich ancient life in a living museum. The rock carvings of Yeddonba, just outside of Chiltern, the Duduroa people’s rock painting of the Tasmanian Tiger at Mt Pilot, and Table Top massive, a place believed to be of great spiritual meaning, are just some of the many wonderful experiences to be found.

Our Volunteers

Volunteers play a key role in wildlife rescue and care. Not only will you be learning new skills and helping animals in need, you will make new friends from around the world and will create an enriching experience for yourself.

While the number of native animals needing help is increasing, volunteer numbers are not keeping up. Your contribution is enormous as the feeding schedule of baby animals is a busy one and the shelter needs surrogate mums to provide food for the babies and care for them.

This is a hands-on program caring for many young animals who cannot care for themselves, so our volunteers will most definitely be in contact with the animals.

Conditions Onsite

You are required to source food for the animals which involve walking in the forest.  Country Victoria can become very hot during the day so you must be prepared to work in the heat.

You must also be prepared that all animals do not survive their injuries.

Bring a Telstra sim card so you have access to the internet. 

Please Note

The second instalment of your project fees is due within 1 week after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees“.

Your daily activities will consist of

You will not have a lot of spare time at this project as it is a very busy shelter with rescues coming in almost daily. Many volunteers only venture into town on a few occasions as transport is only provided when there are errands to run. Just speak to staff about free time will be dictated by the workload. As it is possible that you may not get to do much sightseeing in the area while on your placement, you may wish to stay on in the area after you leave the project. There are many interesting things to do in the surrounding forests and towns and you don’t have to go far to experience the best this region has to offer.

After your placement, get a hotel or hostel, hire a car and take the Forest Drive, where you can still see mine shafts and tunnels dotted through the trees.  To the northwest is the spectacular Beechworth Forest, resting on the foothills of the Victorian Alps.

Get your Miners Rights at the Visitor Centre and try your hand at gold prospecting. Who knows, you might get lucky!

Book a guided tour of an underground gold mine dating back to 1867, pick fresh strawberries or walk through cascading waterfalls and rugged countryside.

You are only a few hours from Melbourne and Sydney so take in the sights of a big city or hit the coast for some rest and relaxation after your stay at the shelter.