Adoption Program
Our special adoption program provides a unique opportunity for YOU to be involved in the rehabilitation of one of these special animals and celebrate its return to the wild as quickly as possible, knowing YOU have helped make it happen.
By adopting an animal, you will be helping out with some of the costs of specialist care, food and medicines that our animals require during their recovery and road to independence. Wildlife Carers and Shelter Operators are volunteers.
As part of your adoption, you or the person in whose name the adoption is made will :-
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receive a personalised Certificate of Adoption and full colour photograph of your special animal
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receive a story sheet about your animal and its rehabilitation program.
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be able to follow the story of your animal's progress which can be published on this website including mention of you and the adoption (if you approve).
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receive a final report giving you details of the patient's release back to the wild.
Please note that the adoption program is purely for the sponsorship of animals for the time that they are in the care of a registered carer. All Australian native animals must be released back to the wild as quickly as possible. The average stay of injured patients may be about 6 weeks although orphans are in care for about 18 months. Orphans usually require more intensive care and specialist food while they are growing up - until they are big, strong, totally independent and ready to be released into the wild.
Wombat Orphan Rearing -
The direct expenses involved depend upon the age and number of vet visits needed for each animal - average of $300 to $400 (Australian) per wombat. This would include approximately one or two veterinarian visits and special food (wombat formula for the different age stages, teats, oats and complete meal. (When older they like sweet potato and almonds which helps to keep them trained and manageable).
Sometimes antibiotics or other medications are needed including sedation for transporting them if necessary. Bandages are NOT well tolerated by wombats! Of course if any specialist intervention is required, an operation will certainly add to the costs with additional medications, x rays, bone pins, etc. Operations are performed at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary which is about 475km (295 miles) away so this also involves large fuel costs incurred.
Injury and Illness -
Most injuries are caused by car trauma and animal attack perhaps involving loss of consciousness, concussion and/or fractures and many animals are orphaned.
Sarcoptic mange in wombats is very costly to treat. Dehydration, shock, snake bite and gun shot wounds also occur in this region. Euthanasia by vet or police is sometimes the only humane intervention option.
Time in care -
Like with us humans, injuries can vary and take different amounts of time to heal. Care can take from days to months, maybe even up to a year. The quicker an animal is released back into the wild the better for the animal. Their territory can be lost in days, they can develop depression from captivity or even suffer from capture myopathy which can be lethal.
Even animals who are picked up and forwarded to another carer could cost up to $100 including the travel which often takes more than 1 hour to pick up a rescued animal in this isolated region. Travel to the local Vet means over 54km (33 miles) for the return trip and we often need sedation for larger animals, bandages, syringes and needles, blankets, baskets etc.
Ongoing pen maintenance and works -
New pens and enclosures are often needed and maintenance is ongoing - particularly for Wombats who are destructive
and patching up has to be "extra heavy duty" to keep these guys safely here until it time for them to go. Building supplies, wire etc are very costly so any donations or sponsorship to contribute to these works is always appreciated.
You, or your business, may like to make a donation or 'adopt' a species eg sponsor all the wombats that come into the Shelter for care for a specific period of time. We will be pleased to acknowledge your assistance. If interested please email
to discuss further.
An adoption is a wonderful gift for animal-loving family and friends and is a positive way to build awareness and help Australia's unique wildlife. Not everyone can care for these animals but many of us can help in other ways.
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