So You Want to Be a Wildlife Carer? Read This First.

You’ve read the blog. You’ve felt the heartbreak. You’ve seen the beauty. And now you’ve decided—yes, you want to become a wildlife carer.

That’s incredible. We need you. But before you dive in, let’s clear up a few things.

You’ll join a group. And they’ll pay for everything, right? Wrong.

That’s what they’re there for, isn’t it? To fundraise, cover food, milk, pouches, vet bills? Wrong again.

Wildlife groups are here to educate. To guide you through licensing, welfare standards, and regulations. To mentor you, connect you with experienced carers, and help you learn the ropes. They’re not your personal funding body.

They also play a vital role in educating the public—through brochures, community stands, seminars, web site and pamphlets. They work tirelessly to shift public perception, raise awareness, and build understanding of what ethical wildlife care truly looks like. That outreach matters just as much as the hands-on care.

Yes, some groups buy milk in bulk and offer it at reduced prices. Yes, they may fundraise to support vet accounts for complex cases. Yes, they write grants in the hope of building infrastructure and securing equipment.

But the day-to-day costs? The formula, the pouches, the fuel, the heating pads, the laundry, the vet bills? That’s on you.

Still want to care?

Good. Because we need people like you. But you need to walk in with your eyes open.

Wildlife care costs more than just sleep and emotion. It costs money. It costs time. It costs your weekends, your holidays, your spare room, your peace of mind.

And yet—it’s worth it.

But here’s something else you need to know: you won’t be doing this alone. You’ll be surrounded by experienced mentors—people who’ve poured years into this work, and who will now invest hours of their precious time into you. Not because they have to. Because they care. Because they know that every new carer is a chance to save more lives.

So listen to them. Follow their instructions to the letter. This is not about your ego. You will be challenged. You will be corrected. You may feel uncomfortable. But this isn’t about you—it’s about the life of a tiny, precious, delicate creature who depends on your humility and your willingness to learn.

Just remember: before you sign up with a group, ask what the financial expectations are. Know what you’re committing to. And know that the real reward isn’t in what you get—it’s in what you give.

Because when a joey looks to you for safety, when you become the centre of their world, when you release them back into the wild knowing you helped them get there—

That’s when you’ll know: You didn’t just join a group. You joined a legacy.