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'Caring and professional veterinary care'
Northgate Queensland

Have you found a sick or injured wild animal or bird?

Northgate Veterinary Surgery is happy to accept orphaned or injured wildlife. We will assess the animal and, where possible, treat it and/or release it or pass it to a specialist carer in Brisbane. Rehabilitation and release are our ultimate objectives. We value the importance of Australia's native fauna.

Watch out for situations that may put YOU in danger.  Make sure that it is safe to rescue the animal or bird. Do not attempt to approach a dangerous animal or control traffic on busy roads - your safety must come first!

Improvise: A cardboard box lined with newspaper, towels or a jumper make great tools to transport injured wildlife. If it is safe to do so, pick up the injured animal using a towel or piece of clothing and place it in a dark box. Small styrofoam eskies make great transportation devices for tiny chicks (ensure you have placed ventilation holes).

Location: remember the location that you found the animal. Some of our native wildlife can be extremely territorial and need to be released exactly where they were found. Providing the vet with the address in Brisbane where the animal was found helps with a successful release.

Do not offer food or water to injured wildlife. The animal you have rescued may require a special diet or could have injuries that prevent it from feeding or digesting food properly. Once you get the animal to a vet clinic, they will be able to assess the animal and treat it accordingly.

Light: A number of Australia's native species are nocturnal. Hit by car cases usually occur at dusk and dawn as this is when they are most active.

Imagine how the animal must feel. It is injured and is being handled by a person. Chances are that it is extremely stressed. Keep handling to a minimum, place in a dark box (with ventilation), keep your voice down and turn off the car radio.

Education: Take time to read about or attend special interest courses in wildlife care. Having basic knowledge of native wildlife helps you gain skills on appropriate and safe handling practises. You may be interested in becoming a member of a wildlife organistation or a wildlife carer yourself.

We must save our wildlife and their habitat to ensure that they have a healthy future.