Elouera Wildlife Shelter

30/08/2026

"People see the animals we save. What they don’t see is the toll it takes on us.”

Wildlife’s first responders are the carers, rescuers, vets, volunteers that help everyday. Here are some of the issues raised by rehabilitation workers when asked -

* We see suffering every day — animals hit by cars, attacked by pets, orphaned, dying.

* We make heartbreaking calls about whether an animal can recover or needs to be euthanised.

* We face cruelty cases that stay burned into our minds.

* The phone never stops. The need is overwhelming.

* Resources are scarce, and sometimes the public doesn’t understand or criticises what we do.

*It doesn’t just wear down our bodies — it hits our minds and hearts too.

*Depression, burnout, anxiety, even post-traumatic stress are real in this work.

*Losses hurt deeply because our bonds with animals are strong.

*Emergencies come at all hours. There’s no “off switch.”

Many of us do this as volunteers, without the workplace support other first responders get.

What helps?
• Talking to each other, debriefing with people who understand.
• Access to counselling and mental health support.
• Learning to recognise when we’re struggling.
• Setting boundaries — saying “no” when we’re exhausted.
• Taking time for joy in nature, not just duty.
• Feeling valued and recognised by our community.

💚 Our wellbeing matters — because when we’re supported, we can keep protecting the wildlife we love.

If you are a wildlife volunteer or know a volunteer who needs assistance then please reach out and get support. You are important and deserve help.

You can call the incredible team at WildTalk - 1300 945 382 or Lifeline - 13 11 14

Online there is the National Emergency Worker Support Service(free for carers) - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/national-emergency-worker-support-service/

If you wish to donate to help wildlife volunteers get metal health support you can at https://wildtalk.org.au/donate/

28/08/2026

We got pressies today!! This beautiful parcel arrived today from cause for paws 101. Thank you for the amazing pods and our hooman got chocolates 🍫 ❤️

03/08/2026

3 in the bed - imagining the conversation 😄
" here- cop that"
"OMG it stinks in here!!"
Our smallest 3 ranging from 200gm to 400gm have nearly all hit the 1kg mark.
Maxx, Poppy, Ellie.
LnLz Wildlife Care & Rescue your little lady.

27/07/2026

I have 6 of this amazing artists pieces hanging proudly , go over and have a look at Cara's work ..💕

11/06/2026

Two very happy graduates. BB and DB (dirty bird and big bird) came in after losing their nest hollow. At just 34gms and a few little injuries - were very happy to join the big wide world.

05/06/2026

🎶 Happy 1kg to me 🎶
Our tiny little trooper who came in at 125gm has hit the 1kg + . Little Ms Selene

LnLz Wildlife Care & Rescue

05/06/2026

07/05/2026

It always saddens wildlife carers when an animal can’t be saved. In this work we see animals in pain, with broken limbs, disease, and severe trauma. We fight for every animal we can, but sometimes they simply cannot be saved. And that does break our hearts.
Sometimes we receive comments directed at carers asking why an animal had to be euthanised, or why more wasn’t done. The reality is that there are several factors we must consider.

WELFARE
The welfare of the animal must come first. Some animals are simply not viable. Tiny joeys removed from pouches may be so underdeveloped they cannot survive without their mother’s pouch conditions. Kangaroos rely entirely on their legs: fractures or dislocations often mean they will never survive in the wild again. Many animals develop stress myopathy from captivity, which can lead to a slow death. Wild animals do not cope well in confinement, and even with the best care they can injure themselves trying to escape. When we make decisions, we must consider how much pain, stress, or suffering an animal may endure.

FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS
Wildlife care is voluntary and largely funded from our own pockets, donations, and fundraisers. While our vets are incredibly supportive, surgeries and treatments are expensive. With so many animals coming through care, it simply isn’t possible to perform costly procedures on every case, especially when the outcome is uncertain or the recovery process would cause prolonged stress or suffering.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
In Victoria, wildlife carers operate under government licences and strict codes of practice. Wildlife must be returned to the wild: they cannot be kept as permanent residents or pets (except in rare endangered-species situations). If an animal is permanently impaired and cannot survive in the wild, it cannot legally be released. This is why animals such as birds with unrecoverable wing injuries are often euthanised.

TIME AND RESOURCES
Carers are ordinary people with families, jobs, and limited capacity. Some animals require feeding every two to three hours, around the clock. When carers already have dozens of animals in care, taking on cases with little chance of survival can mean another viable animal misses out on help. Burnout is also a real risk: and if carers burn out, no animals receive help.

“WHY NOT SEND IT TO A ZOO?”
Aside from legal restrictions, zoos and sanctuaries have limited space and resources. For example, if shelters across Victoria each receive a dozen unreleasable Wedge-tailed Eagles each year, the numbers quickly become impossible. A zoo might be able to take one or two... but not hundreds.

So before thinking that a carer is not trying hard enough, please remember that we always do everything we can, within the limits of welfare, law, resources, and reality. While it hurts to lose an animal, sometimes euthanasia is the kindest option for one that is suffering.
~Shelly

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

Strike a pose!! 😁 . Doesn't this beautifully handrawn picture look like me?! My hooman thought it was an early Christmas with all the beautifully crafted goodies that arrived today. Thanks to all the amazing peeps who made these ❤️