Vets are a vital part of the wildlife rescue system—but they’re often the quiet link in a fragile chain. While they provide critical care to injured animals and support to volunteer carers, many face the same struggles: limited funding, emotional exhaustion, and little recognition for their frontline role.
In this episode, we speak with Dr Mila and Dr Sandy, two veterinary professionals with deep experience in wildlife care, to understand the systemic gaps they face—and how the vet–carer pipeline could be better supported from the inside out.

Their message? If we want to protect wildlife, we must support the people trained to heal them.

Liz, a long-time WIRES carer and branch committee member, shares her personal experience of the organisation’s decline. After a decade of service, she describes how WIRES shifted from a supportive, volunteer-led group into a system marked by secrecy, intimidation, and poor governance. Despite her deep commitment to wildlife, Liz resigned when the board refused to support carers — and instead pursued legal action and attempted to force through a new constitution. Her story is a call to return WIRES to its roots: empowering volunteers and prioritising animal welfare.

Sue joined WIRES in 2018 to help injured birds — and quickly became a trusted carer and branch supporter. But over time, she saw things that didn’t sit right: bullying, silence from leadership, and decisions that pushed experienced carers out. What started as quiet concern turned into action. Now, Sue is speaking out about what’s been happening behind the scenes and why she believes WIRES needs to return to transparency, accountability, and proper member representation. With governance training under her belt, she’s ready to help steer things back on track — not for politics, but for the animals and carers who deserve better.

“This was never about politics. It was always about the animals. That’s why we joined.” - John Palmer

In this episode we hear from John who has been a WIRES carer since 2017. Like so many others, he’s poured his time, his energy, and his heart into caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. But last year, that care was met with something no volunteer should ever experience. His home was raided. John is not alone. His story echoes the experiences of many others across NSW: wildlife carers who’ve been excluded, demoted, or discredited. People who simply wanted to help — and who found themselves caught in something bigger. That’s why this moment matters. This isn’t just about one raid, one board, or one vote. This is about the kind of WIRES we want to be part of — and what we’re willing to stand for.

Kylee, a long-time WIRES volunteer, shares her journey from hopeful newcomer to outspoken advocate for reform. She details the emotional and financial strain of caring for wildlife with little support, the lack of transparency in leadership, and her experience being reprimanded for volunteering during the Black Summer fires. Now facing defamation charges for speaking out, Kylee remains committed to protecting animals and urges members to vote for a more ethical and inclusive WIRES.

Julie, a seasoned wildlife carer and shooter from WIRES Central West Branch, reveals the intense pressure volunteers face when euthanising injured wildlife — often with little support, few resources, and bureaucratic red tape. Despite her passion and leadership role, Julie describes a system stretched too thin, where the emotional burden, logistical failures, and lack of communication from WIRES HQ are leaving carers isolated and at risk.

Her message? If we want to protect animals, we must first protect the people on the front line.

“This Was Meant to Be a Community”

Kerrie — a long-time WIRES member, carer, and coordinator — shares her heartfelt account of how WIRES has changed. What began as a mission grounded in care and community now feels distant, centralised, and disconnected from its volunteers.

Suspended for a bird. Bullied for years. Silenced for speaking up.

Adriana, an experienced wildlife carer, speaks openly about her experience of being suspended by WIRES over unproven allegations following the death of a bird in care. Despite having successfully rescued and released many animals over the course of many years and being cleared by the RSPCA, her suspension remains. For three years, she has faced bullying, exclusion, and unconstitutional demands from WIRES leadership — including pressure to allow a property inspection and resign. Adriana’s story highlights wider issues within the organisation, including the erosion of member rights and the need for reform.

The conviction of Tracy Dodds for Animal Cruelty after years of rescuing and successfully rehabilitating wildlife has sent shockwaves through the wildlife volunteering community.