WIRES

WIRES Dubbo Branch was established in 1988 and covers an area encompassing Wilcannia to the west, north to Bourke and the Queensland border, across and down to Coonabarabran and Dunedoo in the east, then south to Mumbil and across to Parkes - an area larger than the State of Victoria! The Branch currently has around 80 members who freely volunteer their time and work cooperatively to rescue and rehabilitate injured, sick or orphaned native animals for release back into their native habitat. WIRES Members are authorised to rescue and care for native wildlife under a licence issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

According to their spokesperson "We (WIRES Dubbo Branch) could not do much of this rehabilitation without veterinary support, especially where birds are concerned. Duncan has been very good to WIRES over the years and is just as pleased as we are when his patients make it through to release. He and his staff are always willing to receive native animals on our behalf and to check them out for injuries."

The Branch has their own dedicated Rescue Hotline which is staffed 24/7 by their members. Their trained rescuers attend all manner of rescues, including road injuries, barbed wire and netting entanglements, or ducklings that have fallen down a drain. They are also called upon to relocate native animals which have found their way into city streets, remove possums from roof cavities and relocate snakes from houses or aviaries. WIRES Dubbo Branch's Rescue Hotline is 1300 094 737.

As well as providing essential native animal rescue and care, WIRES Members also respond to requests from schools and community groups to conduct education talks and host information stalls.

The Branch is responsible for all of its own fundraising activities and holds regular BBQs, raffles and sell chocolates to support their ongoing operations.

Anyone over the age of 18 can become a Member of WIRES by completing a Rescue and Immediate Care Course. Further information regarding becoming a WIRES volunteer can be found at http://www.wires.org.au/rescue/become-a-rescuerMembers of the public wishing to donate to WIRES Dubbo Branch can do so at http://www.wires.org.au/branch/dubbo.