There are stacks of exciting ways to get involved and be an active part of LAOKO. Although we are run by 100% volunteers we have a network of conservationists, wildlife carers, creatives and animal lovers.
Join the fight to save our precious wildlife – and have a whole lot of fun at the same time!
Volunteer
Volunteers play a key role in wildlife rescue and care. Not only will you be learning new skills and helping animals in need, you can make new friends and create an enriching experience for yourself as well.
If you live in the Snowy Monaro Region then volunteering with LAOKO is one vital way in which you can help our native wildlife. There are more ways to volunteer than becoming a wildlife carer. We understand that many people are not in a position to actually care for animals – due to work or family commitments, they live in small spaces, or do not have the financial or physical means. However, there are many ways you can be involved and contribute, including:
- Become a wildlife carer: Caring for native animals involves rehabilitating animals in your own home. Some carers may only provide emergency or overnight care, whereas others provide long-term care, which may mean holding an animal in rehabilitation for months. Carers’ life circumstances often restrict their options or the types of animals they care for but, with the necessary commitment, and training, there is usually one species or another that can be accommodated.
- Transport and rescue: With so many calls from the public this is an area of dire need. We require volunteers to respond to emergency calls to access an animal that has been reported. Part of the duty requires delivering the injured or orphaned animal to a wildlife carer. People who can’t commit to caring for wildlife themselves get great satisfaction from assisting in this way.
- Assisting with phones: The group’s wildlife hotline needs to be attended 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Being a phone volunteer a day or two a month is one way you could help.
- Sew pouches: Sewing and knitting enthusiasts can make a huge difference to the life of an orphaned joey by knitting or sewing a pouch to keep it warm and comforted while it is being raised by our volunteer wild life carers. Ready to make a pouch? Read our guide here.
- Help build fences + enclosures: Perhaps you have building or carpentry skills and could turn your hand to building wildlife enclosures.
- Fundraise for us: Helping with fundraising is something most members can be involved in, we always need someone to help man the BBQ when we set up at special events. We also need people to start up their own fundraisers such as cupcake drives, raffles and events.
- Help with administration duties: In order for the group to run professionally and fulfil its legal obligations, there are administrative tasks that need to be done, like entering database animal and membership records, serving on a committee, helping with the running of training courses, and so forth.
- Bring with you your creative flair: Those with creative and graphical skills can assist in the production of the group’s website, social media channels, quarterly newsletters and publications.
- Donations: Whether of money, equipment, enclosures, towels, blankets, wildlife feed, supplies … we are always in need of extra supplies and they are greatly appreciated. We are also in donations of merchandise that we can sell either online at Shop-For-A-Cause or at local events [things like knitted scarfs, beanies, hand-made jams are all great]
If you would like to volunteer with us send us an email at laokosmwr@gmail.com and let us know how you would like to help.
Become An Associate Member
LAOKO benefits greatly from the funds we receive from yearly memberships. All these funds go towards buying wildlife food, building enclosures, buying pet-carriers, buying merchandise to sell online/on market days and facilitating educational work-shops. To become a member visit our membership page.
Donate
We need your help! We are flat out caring for wildlife and because we get no ongoing government funding, donations play a vital role in our ongoing fight for wildlife care and rehabilitation by providing us with the valuable funds required for our:
- educational programs
- merchandise
- rehabilitation programs
- veterinary requirements, and
- general animal husbandry needs such as food and enclosure maintenance.
By donating to our cause you have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference. To donate to LAOKO visit our Donate Now Page.
Other Ways To Help LAOKO Immensely
Drive With Care
When driving always drive to the speed limit and stay alert for wildlife on the roads. Try to avoid driving at dusk and dawn if you can – and if you must drive at that time do not drive faster than 80kms per hour as many native animals are nocturnal and forage on the green grass found by the road at dusk and dawn. Being aware whilst driving will often save the life of a native animal – and possibly help avoid expensive motor vehicle repair bills.
Control Domestic Pets
Cats and Dogs can be destructive to local wildlife if not kept under control at all times. Never allow your dog off the leash when roaming in natural reserves or bushland. Keep cats indoors at night time. Never dump unwanted pets as not only is it cruel to the pets, it can be disastrous to the local fauna.
It is illegal to capture or keep ‘wild’ native animals without a permit from the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Please hand over all injured or captured wildlife to LAOKO or your local wildlife rescue group. Many species will not survive in captivity, and may die of shock as a result. Others have specific diets and disease can form if feed the wrong food. Some birds will not be accepted back into the wild if they have been in captivity for more than a few weeks, and may be attacked and killed by their own kind. Wildlife does not belong in domestic homes, even if the intention of the human is geniune. The goal of wildlife is to release them back into the wild where they belong and are the most happiest.
If You Hit An Animal
If you hit an animal by law you are required to stop and call a local wildlife rescue group. Even if the animal has moved off the road you MUST stop, as many animals will move themselves off the road a 100metres or so to die. These animals need to be checked to ensure
- They are not severely injured – as if they are severely injured they either need care or to be euthanised
- Female animals need to have their pouches checked to ensure there are no babies that need to be cared for.
To see what to do when you come across a dead animal or hit a dead animal read our rescue page.
If You See A Dead Animal On Side Of Road
If you see a dead animal on the road, consider removing it to the side – if you can do so without putting yourself in danger. This has several benefits – you can quickly check to see if there is a joey in the pouch; it may stop other vehicles from swerving to avoid the carcass; and may save further animals that come to feed on the body.