Wildlife rescue volunteers in Victoria now can apply for a state government grant to help them care for injured, sick and orphaned animals.
Applications have opened for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants with a total of $230,000 available to support wildlife rehabilitators throughout the state.
Wildlife shelter operators and foster carers can apply for grants of up to $3,000 for equipment, infrastructure, consumables, education and training.
There are more than 700 registered volunteer wildlife rehabilitators in Victoria, playing a vital role in rescuing and caring for injured, sick or displaced wildlife and releasing them back into the wild.
Last year grants were provided to 120 wildlife carers and shelters, funding a range of expenses from new enclosures, nesting boxes and temperature control systems to medication, feed and rescue equipment.
Critically important
The funding is part of the Labor Government's Biodiversity 2037 plan - to stop the decline of native plants and animals and improve the state's natural environment.
Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D'Ambrosio said the work wildlife shelters and foster carers do is critically important to help rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife so animals can be released back to the wild.
"This is about giving a helping hand to many of Victoria's dedicated volunteers who house, feed and care for our wildlife."
Applications close on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.