Wildlife Care

Here at Mt Helena Vet we help countless of injured and/or orphaned native wildlife each year.  A lot of people are unsure what to do if they find sick or injured wildlife, sometimes the most genuine attempts by the public to care for wildlife can be the major contributing factor in their failing health.

Wildlife needs to be taken to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible for medical treatment and emergency first aid. One of our vets will assess the animal, and once treated will pass them onto a wildlife carer for rehabilitation. Wildlife carers are licensed to care for native wildlife and undergo intensive training to ensure they can give the animal the specialized around the clock care it needs. This enables rehabilitation, which will hopefully lead to its release back into the wild.
Children love helping animals and as parents it is important to teach them that looking after native wildlife at home is unsuitable and it needs to be taken to a vet clinic for treatment as soon as possible.

What to do if you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife

• Keep the animal in a safe dark place (remember air holes)
• Keep as quiet as possible (remember to turn off the car radio)
• Keep domestic pets away
• Do not handle unnecessarily (the shock from being handled can kill)
• Take directly into the Mt Helena Vet Clinic. If you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife out of clinic hours, please call the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055

You can also report a wildlife emergency through their website at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/wildcare-helpline

Remember it is illegal to keep native wildlife without a license and offenders can face large fines and prosecution.