Native or Lost Animal Rescue and Rehab Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in what I am trying to achieve for our injured Australian Native Wildlife and Lost / Found Pets in need.. 
 
My name is Lani, I live in Sydney suburbs of NSW Australia, and I am 30 years old...  

Please see my latest comment before reading further as I have reduced my goal amount from $2000 down to $1000 thanks to another volunteer member providing very helpful advice. 

I am a new registered WIRES volunteer (Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Services) as of the 28th February 2019 :) please note that this donation is not for WIRES directly. If you wish to donate to WIRES please logon to their website
 
I thought I would try to reach out for donations to possibly gain some financial assistance to help equip myself for the Rescue and Rehabilitation of Australian Native Wildlife; but also lost and found animals that may be in desperate need of critical care whilst I look hard for their owners on every Lost and Found connection I can find..  
 
My goal is to ensure optimum safety and the highest quality of life for any animal I rescue or foster.  
 
As a Volunteer Rescuer and Carer, especially for Native Wildlife, it's not cheap to set up for a wide range of species in different situations in a short amount of time with no additional income.  
There is potential for unexpected Vet costs (X-Rays, Medicine etc) and I am completely aware I would be absorbing the costs myself, which gives me satisfaction in life, providing another creature with the kindness and warmth it deserves.. 
So far I have compiled a list reaching around $1000.. I scrounged every nook and cranny of the internet to find the best deals on everything I need to be a rescuer or carer capable of handling a range of animals 
 
I have already paid for the 3 x Rabies Vaccinations ($360 in total) in preparation for my Bat Rescue Course. I believe it is also required for Snakes as well. 
 
Every bit will help :) For example, $5 can buy a pack of different size drips, $3 = Protective glasses (Waterbirds can attack your eyes), $3 = A small torch for night rescue or rescue in dark cavities - Or even just a small contribution towards food for all sorts of species, ages and diets.. If 4 people paid $5, I could purchase a 2kg bag of Small Parrot Seed which would be enough to feed a wide range of parrots over a period of time 
 
I am currently sourcing carriers, supplements and food to cover different kinds of native Australian animals. 
Just with Avian care alone, there are so many different birds and each will require a certain diet. Even baby birds will require separate Hand Rearing Mix.. 
 
I am also purchasing sufficient equipment to deal with situations such animals caught in fences & tangled in rubbish :( , injured in accidents, rehydration & nourishment (lectade & supplements), etc etc  
As I mentioned, I have only been registered since 28th February 2019 and have already witnessed so many of these types alerts coming through :,( It's disheartening that I cannot do much just yet...  
So far I have already assisted with 1 call, but it was resolved before I could get out there because the bird seemed OK and just fled from the callers home 
 
Thank you again so much for even getting this far through my page :) I hope to show you all my rescues on some sort of Blog in the future, and will definitely update Go Fund Me as I progress so you can be on the journey with me :) 
 
 
A little bit about me... 
 
I have always been passionate about animals. Since I can remember I wanted to be a vet while everyone else said 'Teacher' or 'Fireman'... There I was hanging around birds on the oval or bugs in the playground and holding spiders and would grow up with idols such as Steve Irwin and Captain Planet! 
I feel lost when I don't have an animal in my life... 
 
My first rescue I was 11 or 12, it was a talking Galah near a busy main road.. The neighbours weren't home and I had no idea where he came from, he also couldn't fly.  
All I had to entice it was leftover Madeira cake which worked (He only had a smidgen and I was more worried about the cars than the cake) He seemed happy and talkative on my arm the whole 30 minute walk home.. 
I knew someone at that time who also loved animals and cared for a range of birds, so I asked if they could look after it while I looked for the owners.. With no success.  
I knocked on every street and asked every person that I walked past, and even wrote out my own signs and stuck them around where I could... 
 
My first work experience in High School was at a Pet Shop cleaning all the enclosures and feeding all the animals all day - and I was always happy to do it :) I even went back on Weekends after I was no longer required to go, and I  volunteered to help where I could and they let me do some small things here and there, but I got to say Hi to all the animals :) and wish them well to their new homes..  
After that I ended up in another Pet Shop, and life suddenly took over and I went into the Corporate world behind the desk. But that was many moons ago.. Now I am making sure my passions and happiness is put first which is caring for animals that can't care for themselves. 
 
I'm probably crazy, but I can't help but feel like I build some sort of bond or connection with animals I get to hang around or have in the family. Just the other day I was sitting outside at work and an adult miner flew and landed right next to me and just skipped into the plants.. haha 
 
I paid for my Full Car License renewal just today 9th March 2019, since I hadn't needed to drive for a few years it had lapsed, but I am now in the process of buying a car purely so I can transport animals without borrowing my partners car..   
I'm not even factoring that cost into these donations, the money I hopefully raise will just be to feed and care for the animals 
 
I am so passionate about this even if I raise minimal money here, I will continue to use my own income and help as much as I can. 
 
My Long-Term Goal in Life... 
 
I aim to be a highly qualified and recommended Wildlife rescuer and carer.  
 
My end goal is to have a Wildlife Sanctuary for Native animals as well as Lost or Found Birds or Reptiles - Animals that are not 100% equipped to survive on their own in the wild or hopefully to rehabilitate them to the point of release. I would assist with locating approved Cat Sanctuaries, and would never close a door to any animal. I would find a way to make sure it is safe and has fresh water and a full belly... 
 
I would very actively be seeking out the owners for Lost / Found pets. 
 
If an animal can still enjoy life but for example a leg or wing is broken, I will find a way to mend them so they can still continue on happily and are not in pain. Even if it meant a trip to the vet for a solution. I understand what it means for an animal to have a great quality of life, by no means would I let a poor animal be suffering in pain as that's not how I would want to live out my days if it came to that.. But I would always exhaust ALL my options! 
 
Over this weekend, I have been researching Fundraising for WIRES, Government Grants and Sponsorships, and reading between the lines of legal information since WIRES and OEH (Office of Environment and Heritage) have an existing relationship. 
I will gain a better understanding so when I attend WIRES meetings, I can input ideas on how to support new volunteers and carers in future, and how we can potentially increase funds for WIRES and other Animal Sanctuaries. 
I have already thought of putting together the idea for a Volunteer Starter Pack for Avian / Reptile etc to try to make it easier for new Volunteers so they can potentially pay for necessary equipment at a cheaper rate. (Since items would likely be cheaper if purchased in bulk from partnered vendors.) 
 
There is also potential to create tutorial videos on how to assist with rehabilitation and rescue, which would contribute to online free education, as the more people aware the better..   
 
Someone said to me the other day.. We can put a man on the moon, but we can't seem to do some of the most simple things like provide compassion.. 
 
I have never been so set on anything like this in my life and it would be so appreciated if you are able to assist. 
 
Thanks again for taking the time to read my story and ambitions..  
 
I hope I can return the favour by showing I can do this!