A Noah&Lil wildlife shelter in Woodend is raising money to build a dedicated room to help them better rehabilitate injured native animals.
The shelter, run by Mel Fraser and Karl Dawson, responds to wildlife emergencies across the Macedon Ranges, working mostly with wallabies but also looking after koalas, gliders, phascogales, bats and possums, just to name a few.
Their aim is to raise $7000 to build a temperature-controlled space, away from the noises of running a household.
“It’s important [that] injured wildlife are kept in a quiet area to help minimise stress,” Ms Fraser said.
“In the cold winter, sick wildlife need to be kept warm and in the heat of summer they need to be kept at a comfortable temperature.”
Volunteer-run Noah&Lil also functions as a small online shop with proceeds going directly to animal care.
The shelter is also taking the opportunity to remind residents to drive safely through the region, and to slow down between dusk and dawn while more wildlife is on the move.
“We have a number of marsupials – mammals that have a pouch – in the shire such as wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, gliders and possums,” Ms Fraser said.
“All of these have the potential to be carrying a joey in their pouch.”
She said if residents hit and kill or injure a marsupial, to please note the location and call Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300, or any local group so a rescuer can attend.
To donate: bit.ly/3P5BECn.
Elsie Lange
