Jessica Micallef
Woodend’s Sandy Howe is doing her bit to support the region’s dedicated wildlife rescuers.
Ms Howe has opened Wildlife Rescues Op Shop in Woodend, to help raise funds for animal shelters, carers and rescuers across the Macedon Ranges.
“I want to be able to give each shelter a couple thousands of dollars,” Ms Howe said.
“It [the shop] is very well supported, both through donations and shopping.”
Ms Howe opened the shop last month because she wanted to help protect wildlife that are often injured on the roads.
“I live on acreage in Wooded and every day I drive on Black Forest Drive and see the casualities from the night before.
“These shelters and carers and rescuers … they receive little or no funding so I thought this was a way I could pay it back because I am not in a position to care or rescue animals.”
The first shelter Ms Howe is supporting is Manfred Zabinskas’ Five Freedoms Animal Shelter in Trentham.
“Manfred goes down mines, he drives for miles, he pays for his own bullets, it costs them a fortune,” Ms Howe said.
“The op shop is something I know how to do and it’s a good way to fundraise to get much-needed funds to the people who are doing the hard work with these animals.”
