What to do with an injured animal
Animal First Aid
General Emergency Care
Improper rescue can hurt both the animal and the rescuer. This is why WIRES trains all its volunteers.
Wild animals are not used to being handled and are very susceptible to stress. If handled improperly, they are likely to struggle and hurt themselves even more. It is crucial to take care with the rescue of any native animal, and to reduce the animal's stress as much as possible.
Step 1
Remove any threat to the animal. This may mean locking up cats and dogs until the animal is rescued by a licensed rescuer.
Step 2
Minimise stress by placing a towel or blanket over the animal, then gently place in a box. Put the box in a warm, quiet, dark room and DO NOT DISTURB. The stress associated with human contact can result in death.
Step 3
Seek advice from your local WIRES Branch – WIRES Blue Mountains – 4754 2946. If you live elsewhere in New South Wales, call WIRES on 13000WIRES or 1300 094 737.
WIRES will give you advice on what to do until a trained WIRES rescuer comes to take the animal to a vet or WIRES foster carer. The foster carer will look after the animal until it is ready to be returned to the wild.
In circumstances where you cannot get in touch with WIRES you can contact your local parks and wildlife service. For details on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation groups in other states a full database can be found at Fauna Search.
Please remember: It is against the law to keep native animals taken from the wild. They must be passed on to an authorised carer with a licensed wildlife rescue organisation.