The native animals of greater Brisbane have a guardian angel (or two!!) but they need your help.

Kerry and Ross have dedicated decades of their lives to taking in orphaned, sick or injured native animals and rehabilitating them. When we met Kerry and Ross, they had over 20 wallabies, kangaroos and possums in their home - some just days old, requiring round-the-clock care which, whilst a massive commitment it's one you can clearly see Ross and Kerry are wholeheartedly devoted to.

Through their not-for-profit wildlife group Kerry's Wildlife Rescue & Care Inc and with the help of other passionate animal lovers they have been able to expand their work but the need still outways available resources and funding. Like many other unsung heroes, Kerry & Ross fund the care for the wildlife themselves. But, the joy of seeing them grow up and knowing they have done their part seems to be reward enough. 

Watching the interactions in their family home gives all the right feels. (we call it a family home, as the animals are like their babies - each has a name, and will look for Mum and Dad when they leave the room... not to mention the abundance of cuddles!)

Many of the animals Kerry & Ross nurture come from nearby vets or from calls on their wildlife rescue hotline - they will continue to look after them until they can be released back into the wild. Each animal's journey is different, and sadly not all can be saved. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND AN ANIMAL NEEDING HELP?

Injured animals are very susceptible to stress, so they have to be handled carefully. To reduce the animal's stress as much as possible, please follow this advice:

• Move the animal away from any danger and into a quiet, dark environment. Place securely inside a cardboard box or crate with a small towel or blanket inside to provide warmth and comfort.
• DO NOT OFFER ANY FOOD OR WATER as native animals have very specialised diets, plus feeding an animal suffering from shock could be fatal.
• Note the exact location the animal was found – most animals are territorial and must be released back at the rescue site.
• Keep the animal as quiet and undisturbed as possible.
• Please DO NOT attempt to handle snakes, bats, adult koalas or adult kangaroos and wallabies as they can cause serious injury.
•  It is illegal to keep native animals taken from the wild - they must be passed on to an authorised, licensed wildlife carer.

Highlighting Ross & Kerry's valuable work in wildlife care is a small drop in a big ocean. To continue their work, and make each day just that little bit easier, you can help too:

💛 Financial support is key - one bag of speciality milk formula is over $700, plus each animal relies on other food including fresh fruit and vegetables

💛 Pledge your time, if you are an animal lover and able to volunteer, reach out to Kerry for more information

💛 Donate care packages - items on high rotation include towels and blankets. These don't have to be new, just in good condition and clean.

💛 Contribute consumables - add a product or two from the following list to your grocery shop and you'll be making a BIG difference for some of our tiniest native animals.

• Swisspers Cotton Tips
• Little One's Fragrance-Free Wipes
• Tissues

Special thanks to the Mount Gravatt Mazda team who are some of our biggest community advocates! During this year's Random Acts Of Kindness, our staff didn't disappoint! They answered the call and supported our towel drive for Kerry and their wildlife carers.