transporter training - wildlife victoria

© Wildlife Victoria Inc.

Transporter Training


Vision & Mission• Our vision is a community that understands,

values and cares about Australian wildlife• Our mission is to help and protect wildlife

through our rescue, education and advocacy activities. We respond to community reports of distressed wildlife and facilitate the appropriate response where needed. We promote community knowledge of wildlife and advocate for the protection and welfare of wildlife


• We are a charity• In existence for 30 years• 2019 is the first pledge for funding

from the State Government • We are the largest State-wide wildlife volunteer network• “000” for Native Wildlife• There were 87,664 requests for help in the 2018/19 FY

year with 50,230 animals assisted• WV receive requests from members of the public

(MOPS), RSPCA, Councils, Parks Victoria, Veterinary Clinics, Police and the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP)

About Wildlife Victoria


VolunteersWildlife Victoria has a database of over 1,500 volunteers with varied levels of experience and expertise. We can only ask available volunteers who are registered with WV to attend cases. Types of volunteers• Rescuer• Transporter• Shelter/Foster Carer

(DELWP authorised)• Vet Clinic• Education• Night time ERO


How the Emergency Response Service works

Reports are made by phone or

online to the Emergency Response Operators (ERO’s)

We find the

nearest volunteers available

at that time

Messages are sent

requesting assistance

for the animal

Details are sent

to the first volunteer to accept the case

Transporter contacts the Vet and/or

Carer and attends to the case


You control:When you are availableWhat kinds of wildlife you are available forHow far you are able to travel

Simply respond by SMSto accept or decline a case, andsend START or STOP to tell us when you are available

Rescuers can view active rescue cases online in WILDNET and record their cases in our central database to contribute to wildlife data

Wildlife Victoria welcomes new volunteers from anywhere in Victoria.

Thanks for being on call to help wildlife!


Volunteer Agreement• Please read through the Volunteer Code of

Conduct and Agreement carefully• By signing and submitting your

Transporter Registration, you are accepting the terms and conditions of the Volunteer Code of Conduct and Agreement

• Remember to tick the box on the registration form


• The WV Emergency Response Operators (EROs) rely on text messages to initially communicate with their volunteers.

• If you are available to attend a transport case, please respond with Y for Yes and the case number - Y 123456

• If you are not available to attend to a transport case, please respond with N for No and the case number - N 123456

• If you can help later, Y 123456 after 4pm

• If you are the first to respond, you will receive the details of the case


SMS Responses

• If the ERO’s don’t get a response from you, the animal may stay where it is for longer than necessary, so please respond as soon as you can, so that further volunteers can be contacted

• If a volunteer has already been allocated to a case that you respond Yes to, you will receive a message to advise you that your assistance is not required.

• If your situation changes and you can later attend to a case that has not be dealt with, you can send a yes response.

• You will also be sent an email detailing the case. If you have further questions, you can then contact the ERO’s directly on the ERO mobile and they will endeavour to answer your call or call you back as soon as they are available.

• You can finalise the case by replying to the case email. Eg. Ringtail possum delivered to carer


• Many of the cases received by Wildlife Victoria result with an animal being taken to a vet. Most vets around Victoria will assess wildlife for free and Wildlife Victoria is extremely grateful for their contribution.

• When engaging with Vets always:– Call the vet clinic before you leave to advise

of your estimated time of arrival – this allows for a final check on the animal in case its status has changed

– Let them know you are a TRANSPORTER and will not be handling the animal

Interacting with Vetsand Vet Staff

– On arrival introduce yourself as a Wildlife Victoria volunteer transporter and always display your ID badge

– Give them the case number and species to ensure you pick up the correct animal


• DO NOT allow the vet staff to give you other animals. Contact the ERO’s for advice

• DO NOT handle the animal. The vet or staff should transfer the animal to your carrier

• Record medications and dosages issued as well as any recommendation provided by the vet

• Record rescue address – legal requirement for carers via DELWP• This information should be on the animals treatment sheet, remember to

ask for it

Interacting with Vetsand Vet Staff


• Wildlife Foster Carers and Shelter Operators specialise in the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. They have been issued licences from The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and operate from their home environment.

• When engaging with Carers always:– Call before leaving to tell them estimated arrival time – this gives

them time to prepare and ensures they are home– On arrival introduce yourself and always display your ID badge– Give them all the information they require - Vet details,

medication and any instruction received from the vet– Give them location found – this is important as animals must be

released at the site of rescue

Interacting with Sheltersand Carers


• There may be situations where a member of the public (MOP) cannot deliver a contained animal to the vet and you may be requested to do so.

• Call the MOP before leaving to tell them estimated arrival time ensuring they are home.

• Always display your ID badge • Introduce yourself - When interacting with public always be

professional, positive and speak politely. • If the animal has not been contained in a box for you to pick-

up, contact the ERO to organise a rescuer to attend.• Always thank the member of public for reporting the animal in

distress to Wildlife Victoria. If queried about the future of the animal, explain that they can contact our office with the case number they have received by email to get an update on the status.

Interacting with the Public


ZoonosesKeep yourself safe

• Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted to humans from other animal species. There are over 60 diseases in Australia that can be transmitted from animals to humans

• Do not handle bats, due to possibility of lyssavirus• Ensure Tetanus shots are up to date• Wash and sanitize hands before and after

handling animals


ZoonosesKeep them safe

• Open wounds on animals are very susceptible to bacterial infections

• Stress in an animal will increase its susceptibility to disease

• Equipment hygiene must always be a priority.


Transporting Equipment• ID card• Transport containers• Towels/wool blankets• Pouches & liners or

pillowcases• Heat pad or hot water

bottle• Hand sanitizer or baby

wipes• Protective gloves• First aid kit for you


Equipment HygieneAFTER EVERY TRANSPORT!

• Remove faecal matter and dirt from equipment

• Use vinegar, non-perfumed disinfectant detergents, or a mild bleach solution (1%) for disinfecting cages & equipment.

• Disinfectant wipes can be used between transports if unable to thoroughly clean between multiple transports in a day

• Always rinse equipment well in water, ensuring there are no residual chemicals and then air dry in the sun

• Wash towels and blankets, drying them in the sun


• Myopathy is a stress related disease affecting muscles and internal organs and is fatal to wildlife. Signs can be visible right away or develop over several months

• DO NOT remove the animal from the container for photos. They will be distressed and should not be over handled for any reason

• Be aware of Zoonoses, diseases that can pass from wildlife to humans

• DO NOT offer food or drink to any animal within your care, as each animal will have specialized diets and the wrong food or drink can be deadly

Transporting


• MOVEMENT: ensure animal is appropriately contained• SECURE the animal in a container, providing

appropriate body supports • SECURE the container in the car, using your seatbelts

or appropriate restraints.• VENTILATION: NEVER transport in the boot of car. Have

holes in carriers, tubs or boxes• TEMPERATURE: Use appropriate heating or air-

conditioning • NOISE: Radio off or on a quiet music station, talk quietly,

and don’t have domestic pets in the car• SCENT: No food, smoking, air fresheners or domestic

pets in the car• TIME: Go directly to vet/carer.

• If it is a long drive, regularly check status of animal.

Transporting


• You need to provide your own transporting containers

• Keep a container in your car with a supply of towels or blankets to wrap the wildlife or cover the cage.

• Pouches are available from our office• A pet carrier is suitable

with adequate padding inside

Transporting


Bird Containment• Different species will require different containment• Small birds – a cardboard box with low ventilation holes is ideal

or a bird cage with a large enough gate that a hand and small towel can fit through.

• Use lined pet carriers or wooden boxes for cockatoos or corellas• If a bird is unable to stay upright, place rolled up towels around

body for extra support in container• If the bird is a percher, place perch/rolled up

towel in box• Disposable boxes are best to transport

smaller parrots due to highly contagious Beak & Feather Disease

• Use rope or tape to securely closed box.


Mammal Containment• Different species will require different containment• Small marsupials use a pouch in a small basket or pet carrier.• When distressed, animal may try to escape from pouch so

securely tie them in the pouch• Larger marsupials – Pouch and/or carry bag• Provide a wrapped heat source 25-35°C for unfurred animals


Reptile Containment• Place lizards in an inside out pillow case or

drawstring bag, ensuring it is breathable - Tie securely!

• Place pillow case within your carry container • Secure your container• Cover the cage or basket with a blanket• Do not provide heat as this

can make them more active!• Do not provide water for

turtles.


Conclusion• Call Dana Frew or Emily Small on 9445 0310 if you

have further questions with regards to your role and responsibilities as a Transporter

• If you want to become a rescuer, you will be required to attend a training day

• Please send back your registration form, ticking the box that you have completed and understood this training presentation

• Please send a selfie type photo so that an ID card can be created for you.

• Thank you for taking on this role!

transporter training - wildlife victoria

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