All Animal Rescuers

29/05/2026

I had an urgent call recently. A woman had been at a local park then driven home only to come out to her garage later that day to hear a strange noise coming from her car. On inspection she realised that there was a noisy miner bird trapped behind the grill that was unable it appeared to get itself out. It was assumed it had got into her car whilst she was at the park.

She phoned her local mobile Roadside Assistance who came out but gave up after attempting to free the bird saying it was too difficult as they didn’t have the appropriate tools and would need a specialist mechanic for her type of luxury vehicle.

There was an urgency now as the woman needed to leave in around an hour to go pick up her daughter and didn’t want to risk the life of the poor little bird by driving with it still trapped. It may die a horrible death.

So she called for a wildlife rescuer and I attended along with a colleague of mine.

Armed with screw drivers and a crow bar the woman became a little nervous voicing her concerns that we may damage her car, so we put the tools down. The bird had managed to get itself in, so it was a matter of working out where and somehow getting it back out the same way.

After crawling underneath and opening the bonnet to look down we soon saw that the car was very well sealed and there was no way we were going to be getting it out any other way than the front through the grill. The largest gap was at the bottom though it didn’t seem big enough for the bird. It must have squeezed in sideways and now in its panicked state couldn’t work out how to squeeze back out in exactly the same angle. We would have to help it.

On our first attempt the miner managed to jump up to the top of the grill which was in two sections. We would need to get it back to the bottom section if we were to have any chance of helping it.

Finally thank goodness it jumped back down to the bottom half and after couple of goes with my finger tips through the bottom of the grill, I was able to grasp the bird in one hand.

He was not happy clearly thinking I meant him harm, so struggled and screeched loudly in protest.

I gently closed my finger around his body to contain him feeling to ensure his wings were close to his body and not flapping around then started to try to ease him out at various angles.

The gap just seemed too small. The bird didn’t seem to fit and I was worried about injuring it and breaking bones if I tried to force it through.

After several attempts of pulling it out moving my hand up and down to see if any sections were slightly wider at one point accidentally letting the bird slip out of my fingers but luckily catching it again, suddenly I could feel my hand come out at the correct angle with the bird safely inside. He was free and after an initial check over he appeared to be injury free!

We had freed him in time for the woman to be able to go pick up her daughter! She was very grateful not just because of this, but because she didn’t want it to be injured or worse.

We made a note of the park where it was believed he had climbed onboard, and after an overnight stay and check with a carer, we were thrilled to be able to release him back there the next day.

18/05/2026

Update on our little Earl Grey.

He was back at the vet on Saturday to check urine sample and monitor pain/discomfort levels. The PU operation is usually not performed on a cat until they are at least 6 months of age but as he was in such discomfort a few weeks ago they were going to do it earlier at the same time as removing his testicles which were up inside his abdomen. When they went in to do that operation realised that they didn’t have a catheter small enough so wouldn’t be able to do the PU op until they had one, so just did the des*xing component. We found though he is now no longer in discomfort as he was now he has had the initial surgery so are able to go back to plan A which was to do the main surgery at 6 months of age. He is nearly 4 months. He is currently incontinent and has had one UTI so having regular checks to keep that in check to avoid kidney damage. Once he has the main operation should fix all of that, fingers crossed.

If you would like to make a donation towards his ongoing medical treatment you can do so via his GoFundMe or directly to us either via direct deposit or PayPal. https://gofund.me/573219e78

16/05/2026

This week I have been called out to two locations to rescue sulphur crested cockatoos in tricky situations.

One had its toe caught in gutter netting on a roof and the other had been hit by a car then witnesses observed him climbing up a tree and sitting up high with an obviously badly injured wing.

The one on the roof was a quick rescue simply needing to climb up a ladder to reach the cockatoo, wrap him in a towel then gently free his toe. A quick check over confirmed his only injury was to his dignity with his flock all waiting loudly in nearby trees. So without further ado I released him back to them.

The one up the tree was a bit more of a challenge. He was around 5 metres up the tree next to a busy road and it was evening peak hour with cars zooming past. He had been there since he was hit by a car during the morning peak hour so had been there nearly 12 hours already. I decided it would be safer to return a little later once traffic had died down. He looked like he had settled himself for the night on a branch in the tree anyway so wasn’t likely to be moving anywhere. His wing was at a horribly awkward angle so doubt he was able to fly.

When I returned around an hour later I had with me my ladder plus 4 metre extension pole with wooden perch on top. Positioning the ladder underneath him I climbed up with a headlamp on then lifted the extended perch towards him pushing it gently against his chest to encourage him to step onto it. After a few goes he finally did and once I was confident he was standing firmly with both feet on my perch I then slowly lowered it down towards the ground. I had earlier contacted the wonderful member of public who had witnessed him getting injured that morning to let him know I was going to attempt the rescue and he had come out offering assistance which I was grateful of. I now asked him to grab my long welding gloves that I had placed nearby and put them on for protection so that he could help me grab the cockatoo as we got him near the ground and quickly place him into my waiting carrier which we were able to do.

This one definitely would need assessing and treatment by a vet as was clearly badly injured, but at least he was now down out of a tree that he would have been unable to fly out of.

Thank you to both members of the public for not only noticing these two cockatoos in distress but doing something about it and calling for help.

23/04/2026

Today our little Earl Grey had the first of his two surgeries.

The original plan was to perform exploratory surgery to locate and remove his testicles, then in around three months’ time proceed with the more complex procedure (Perineal Urethrostomy) to essentially create new urinary “plumbing” similar to a female cat to bypass the damage. This is usually only done on cats over six months old, and Earl is just three months.

Not long after I dropped him off, I received a call from the vet. Earl’s condition was far worse than expected. The scar tissue is already severely constricting his urinary tract, and as he grows, it won’t be long before it blocks completely. Without urgent intervention, he wouldn’t be able to pass urine at all.

They need to perform the major surgery much sooner than planned.

The challenge is that, due to his tiny size, they don’t currently have a catheter small enough for the procedure. After making several calls, they’ve managed to order one, which should arrive in about a week. As soon as it does, we’ll need to move quickly.

When I picked Earl up this afternoon, he had already completely won over the vet team. They told me that as soon as he woke from surgery, he was playing in his crate — the happiest little kitten they’d ever seen.

And true to form, the moment we got home, he bounced out of his carrier, purring like a tiny motorbike and ready to play… just hours after surgery.

That’s Earl. 💛

We now have one week to raise the funds needed for his life-saving surgery. The odds may be stacked against him, but we are going to fight as hard as we can to give this little fighter the life he deserves.

If you’re able to help in any way — by donating or sharing — it would mean the world to Earl.

He deserves his chance. 🐾

https://gofund.me/13f73ae2c

22/04/2026

I had a call yesterday regarding an owl appearing to be trapped inside a warehouse not far from me in Nunawading. Suspecting it may in fact be a tawny frogmouth which are fairly common around here whereas I have not seen an owl here before , I headed straight there to assess the situation.

Upon walking into the warehouse which had 10 plus metre high ceilings, I spotted her immediately up near the roof on the highest beam. A stunningly beautiful young Boobook owl. They had only noticed her there that day and had no idea how she had gotten in, though did mention that they had recently had someone come in to repair some holes and gaps that were in the roof, so perhaps had sealed up an entrance /exit she was using.

They had left the roller door open all day but she had not flown out. They had also tried approaching her using their forklift but had only scared her making her fly around in circles around the warehouse before coming to rest on another beam up as high as she could get.

I asked if they could perhaps leave the door open until at least dusk as being nocturnal she would more likely leave then than during the day. But apparently the warehouse shut at 4.30pm and alarms came on and they weren’t prepared to stay open beyond that time as would mean having to pay someone overtime to stay back.

It was now 3.30pm so I had an hour to somehow catch her and get her out safely.

Armed with my large net I got into a safety caged bucket that they then picked up with a forklift and had them lift me up towards the owl which as I got closer could see was now sleeping. I got my net ready but as I got quite close I thought perhaps I might have more luck just grabbing her as long as she stayed asleep. Just as I got ready to reach up she opened one eye and stared at me then both eyes opened in alarm and she flew off and around, eventually settling on a beam at the back of the warehouse but still up high near the ceiling. I had an idea.

We waited a little while for her to calm down then I asked if they could lift me up again but directly underneath her with the large beam hopefully concealing me a little from her. As I was lifted up towards her just behind her I motioned to one of the workers to stand in front of her line of sight down on the ground and jump up and down waving his arms around to distract her. As she stared at him trying to work out who this crazy person was and what he was doing, I quietly reached up to her back and grabbed her, securing her in my hands. They then brought us both down to the ground and I carefully put her safely into my carrier.

I had already contacted Boobook Wildlife Shelter when I had first arrived and confirmed it was an owl, so now called her again to let her know that I had safely caught the bird and arranged to meet her at a nearby vet so that she could be assessed.

I was pleased to later hear that she did not appear ill or injured but was very underweight indicating she may have been in the warehouse without food for several days or more. Apparently she came into care just in time.

I look forward to hopefully seeing her again once she is back to a healthy weight and ready to be released back home.

20/04/2026

Earl Grey’s life so far. Please help us save him by donating so that we can give him the surgery he urgently needs. https://gofund.me/50be5996a

20/04/2026

Earl Grey’s Fight for Life

In January, I got a call I couldn’t ignore.

An emergency vet clinic was desperately trying to find someone—anyone—to take in a newborn kitten who had been dumped. It was peak kitten season. Every rescue was full. Neonatal carers were already stretched beyond capacity.

I was the last call.

If I said no, he would be euthanised.

So I said yes.

That’s how little Earl Grey came into our lives—tiny, fragile, and screeching for feeds like a newborn baby. Around-the-clock bottle feeding, helping him toilet (as his mother would have done), sleepless nights… all of it. And very quickly, he stole our hearts.

But within days, something wasn’t right.

Earl began struggling to urinate. His tiny body became swollen. One day, he couldn’t pass urine at all. His bladder was dangerously full.

Our local vet sent us straight to emergency—his bladder was at risk of rupturing, and they didn’t have equipment small enough to help him.

At the emergency clinic, after a brief exam, I was told the “kindest” option would be euthanasia. He might need major surgery. He could be incontinent for life.

And, after all… he was “just a rescue.”

But Earl wasn’t “just” anything.

He was bright, affectionate, playful. Full of personality. Full of life.

So I said no.

I paid the $1,000 deposit and asked them to at least try to relieve the blockage. Hours later, they called—success. It wasn’t as bad as they’d thought. He came home.

Weeks later, at his first vaccination appointment, I mentioned ongoing issues—sometimes incontinent, sometimes straining. Again, without imaging or deeper investigation, I was advised not to vaccinate him… but to euthanise.

That was the second time.

I refused again.

Instead, I sought a second opinion from a trusted, retired vet. After examining Earl, she believes he suffered significant trauma very early in life. This has caused scarring that is progressively tightening, restricting his ability to urinate. Without intervention, he will eventually be unable to pass urine at all.

She also found his testicles hadn’t descended properly and could cause serious complications later.

Her recommendation: a life-saving surgery.

Earl needs a Perineal Urethrostomy (PU)—a procedure that will reconstruct his urinary tract, essentially giving him a functional system similar to a female cat. It’s complex, and will be done in two stages.

We met with the surgeon today.

Earl is booked in for his first surgery this Wednesday.

Now comes the hardest part—finding a way to pay for it.

I’ve been told three times to euthanise this little boy. Three times I’ve said no.

Because Earl is happy. He’s not in pain. He plays, eats, cuddles, and sleeps peacefully. He has a strong will to live—and I refuse to let him down.

He is so much more than “just a rescue kitten.”

If you can help in any way—donations, sharing this post, or even just sending support—it would mean the world to us.

Thank you for helping give Earl Grey the chance he deserves.

Earl Grey’s Fight for Life In January, I got a call I couldn’t ignore. … Sonja Olsen needs your support for Lifesaving s*x change operation for a kitten

12/04/2026

We went a bit batty this week but in the best possible way, helping to rescue and transport some gorgeous bats & having the joy of visiting a few of our amazing local (and not so local) bat carers.

All wildlife carers are amazing but bat carers take on an especially challenging task when becoming a carer as very few vet clinics (and becoming fewer) are able to treat bats should they need medical assistance, so often needing to travel long distances in order to get to a vet that can help.

We believe this is mainly due to insurance restrictions on the clinics as there are strict policies in place Australia wide that anybody handling bats (from rescuers to carers and their volunteers through to vets and their staff) must be vaccinated against lyssavirus. Now less than 1% of the wild bat population are affected with only 4 cases of humans recorded in Australia ever having contracted this potentially fatal disease (none in Victoria), but any risk is a risk, hence the precaution of needing to be vaccinated is in place. (Note to contract the disease you would need to be actually bitten or scratched by an affected animal.)

Immunity levels need to then be checked annually via a blood test with booster shots administered should levels dip below the required amount. A vet clinic would need to ensure ALL of their staff are vaccinated and no risk of anyone from the general public possibly coming into contact with a bat on site whether it be in the waiting room or elsewhere. For most clinics this is understandably challenging to manage and I can only assume public liability insurance premiums would be higher should they choose to do it.

So we salute the amazing bat community who care for these adorable creatures and especially the carers and vets who ensure they receive the help they need when needed.

05/04/2026

Couldn’t love this more ######

23/03/2026

All Animal Rescuers adamantly opposes the Victorian Duck hunting season and advocates for the abolishment of duck hunting in Victoria.

Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland have already banned this cruel practice.
Our wetlands and our water bird species are in serious decline.

In 2023 the Victorian Government held a Parliamentary Inquiry into Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements.

The Select Committee’s first recommendation following the Inquiry was to end Recreational Native Bird Hunting in Victoria. Unfortunately, elected representatives of the Victorian Government did not accept this recommendation and duck hunting has been allowed to continue in Victoria.