Wildlife Care in Moss Vale
Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre in Moss Vale is proud to provide free-of-charge veterinary care for injured and orphaned wildlife as part of our commitment to the local community. Our experienced team assesses and treats illness and injury, offering supportive care tailored to the unique needs of native species.
Working Closely With Local Rescue Organisations
Our team has fostered a good working relationship with both WIRES and Wildlife Rescue South Coast based on trust and respect for our native wildlife.
Wildlife Care FAQs
Because wildlife have very different needs from cats and dogs, these FAQs cover common first-visit and urgent-care questions.
What should I do if I find injured wildlife?
Keep the injured animal contained, warm, and quiet, and avoid feeding unless advised. Contact a wildlife rescue as soon as possible, and they will guide you on the best action. If necessary, they will advise to bring the wildlife to us, where we will triage, treat and refer to a carer. We provide wildlife care free of charge and work with rehabilitation groups for ongoing care. We work closely with WIRES on 1300 094 737 and WRSC on 0418427214.
Should I offer injured wildlife food and water?
Ideally, no. Every wildlife species has a very specific diet and a specialised digestive system. Offering the wrong food can be detrimental to their recovery, as well as causing further trauma if done incorrectly. The best thing you can do is keep them calm and quiet and try to get the animal to the clinic or a carer as soon as possible.
What do I do if I find a baby bird on the ground?
The best thing to start with is to check to see if the parents are still around and watching out for the chick. Some birds accidentally explore out of their nest before they are able to successfully fly. In most cases, the chick can be returned to their original nest, or an alternative nest can be placed in the tree to keep the baby bird safe from predators. If the nestling is injured or mum and dad aren't around, please call a wildlife rescue group, or you can bring it into the clinic for care.
What happens after I drop injured wildlife to the clinic?
All wildlife is triaged and assessed to ensure they receive appropriate treatment and pain relief. This includes sedation and radiographs along with a physical exam, to determine the nature of the injury. From there, our team collaborates with our wildlife carers to decide on the best outcome for that individual.
Do I need to book an appointment to drop off wildlife?
No, we are happy to accept wildlife at any time throughout the day. One of our nurses will collect and triage the patient and organise a veterinary exam once in our care.
Careful Handling, Clear Advice
We aim to make wildlife care less daunting for our wildlife carers by clearly explaining our findings and outlining the next steps leading to recovery and rehabilitation. Where appropriate, we liaise with our carers to provide guidance on short-term medical care to support their recovery and wellbeing.
If you come across injured, orphaned, or distressed wildlife, booking an appointment allows our team to assess their condition and provide appropriate care.
Signs of illness in wildlife can be easy to overlook.
Falls, bites, or sudden weakness should be assessed quickly.
