Bendigo Wildlife Rescue is seeking dedicated and compassionate Volunteer Wildlife Responders to join our team, providing assistance to sick, injured, orphaned and displaced native wildlife throughout Bendigo and surrounding regional communities.
Volunteer Wildlife Responders play an important role in supporting wildlife welfare through safe animal rescue, initial assessment, transport and coordination with our wildlife care network. Responders help ensure native wildlife receives timely, appropriate assistance while prioritising personal safety, animal welfare and compliance with relevant wildlife regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Wildlife Rescue: Attend allocated rescue requests and safely locate, contain and capture native wildlife where appropriately trained and authorised.
- Initial Assessment: Observe and report an animal’s apparent condition, injuries, mobility and immediate welfare concerns.
- Protected Transport: Transport rescued wildlife to an approved wildlife carer, veterinary clinic or designated facility as directed.
- Public Assistance: Communicate professionally and compassionately with members of the public reporting wildlife incidents.
- Incident Reporting: Complete rescue records, submit photographs where appropriate and provide accurate updates to the rescue coordination team.
- Field Safety: Follow established safety procedures, risk assessments, biosecurity requirements and animal-handling protocols.
- Team Communication: Maintain contact with the coordinator throughout assigned rescues and promptly report changes in circumstances.
- Equipment Care: Maintain rescue equipment and ensure vehicles and supplies are ready for operational use.
- Continuous Learning:
Participate in required induction, training, competency assessments and ongoing capability development.
Essential Requirements
- A genuine commitment to native wildlife welfare and responsible animal handling.
- A current driver licence and reliable transport.
- A suitable smartphone for receiving rescue notifications and submitting reports.
- The ability to communicate effectively, work independently and follow operational instructions.
- A willingness to comply with BWR policies, safety procedures and volunteer conduct requirements.
- Availability to respond to rescue requests in accordance with agreed volunteer commitments.
- Willingness to complete required training and demonstrate competency before undertaking relevant rescue activities.
What We Offer
- Practical experience in wildlife rescue and field operations.
- Training, guidance and ongoing development opportunities.
- The opportunity to contribute to native wildlife welfare across regional Victoria.
- Support from an operational team and a network of wildlife carers.
- The satisfaction of making a meaningful difference to injured and vulnerable wildlife.
Volunteer Commitment
Volunteer Wildlife Responders are expected to remain engaged with the team, communicate their availability and respond to rescue requests in accordance with BWR’s minimum participation requirements. Volunteers are not required to accept every request, and must only undertake activities for which they are appropriately trained, competent and authorised.