What Wires Is and Why You Might Join

Wires is a volunteer-run wildlife rescue organisation in Australia that responds to injured, sick, or orphaned native animals. When you join, you become part of a network that handles everything from tangled possums to oil-covered seabirds. The organisation operates across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, with most of its work done by trained volunteers who take calls, rescue animals, and provide care.

People join Wires for different reasons: some want hands-on animal rescue experience, others prefer office-based support like answering the rescue hotline, and some simply want to contribute skills they already have — anything from carpentry to social media. There is no single "Wires volunteer" role. The organisation needs people who can commit a few hours a month and people who can commit several days a week.

Key Takeaways

  • Wires accepts volunteers through its website at wires.org.au, where you fill out a form describing what you want to do and how much time you have.
  • Most hands-on animal rescue roles require you to complete Wires' own training program, which takes several weeks and covers animal handling, safety, and legal requirements.
  • You do not need prior animal experience to join, but you do need to be at least 18 years old (or 16 with a parent or guardian present during rescue work).
  • Wires covers your training costs and provides equipment like gloves and carriers, but you are responsible for your own transport to rescue sites.
  • The organisation runs a 24-hour hotline (1300 094 737) that volunteers staff, and this is often the easiest entry point if you want to start immediately.

The Volunteer Application Process

Start at wires.org.au and look for the "Volunteer" or "Get Involved" section. You will find an online form that asks for your name, contact details, and a description of what kind of volunteering interests you. Be specific here: say whether you want to rescue animals, answer phones, help with fundraising, transport animals, or something else. Wires uses this information to match you with roles that fit your availability and skills.

After you submit the form, a coordinator from your local Wires branch will contact you within one to two weeks. This conversation is informal — they are checking that your schedule and expectations match what the role actually involves. If you say you can only volunteer one Saturday a month, they will not push you toward a role that needs four weekday shifts. If you have never handled an animal, they will explain what the training covers before you commit.

Once you both agree on a role, Wires will send you information about the next steps, which depend on what you have chosen to do.

Training for Hands-On Animal Rescue

If you want to rescue animals, you must complete Wires' training program before you go on your first call. The program typically runs over four to six weeks and covers animal handling, safety protocols, legal responsibilities, and how to recognise signs of stress or injury in different species. You learn how to approach a frightened animal, how to use equipment like nets and carriers safely, and what to do if an animal bites or scratches you.

Training is delivered by experienced Wires volunteers and usually happens in a mix of classroom sessions and practical work. You might spend one evening learning about native birds, then a weekend morning practicing with a trainer in the field. Wires covers all training costs — you pay nothing. The organisation also provides the equipment you need: gloves, carriers, nets, and a uniform shirt.

After training, you are not immediately sent to every rescue call. Most branches have a mentoring period where you go on calls with an experienced volunteer who watches, corrects, and gradually lets you take the lead. This usually lasts a few weeks and varies by branch and by how confident you become.

Hotline and Administrative Roles

If you want to start volunteering sooner and do not want to commit to weeks of training, the 24-hour rescue hotline is often the fastest entry point. Wires needs people to answer calls from the public reporting injured animals, take down details, and dispatch rescue volunteers. This role requires less training — usually a few days of shadowing an experienced operator plus some written materials about how to ask the right questions.

Hotline shifts are typically four hours long and happen at various times of day and night, depending on the branch. You work from a Wires office or, in some cases, from home. The role is less physically demanding than rescue work but requires patience and the ability to stay calm when someone is upset about an injured animal.

Wires also needs help with fundraising, social media, data entry, event planning, and animal care at rehabilitation facilities. If you have a specific skill — graphic design, accounting, carpentry for building animal enclosures — mention it in your initial form. The organisation often has roles that match what you already know how to do.

What Wires Provides and What You Cover

Wires covers training, equipment for rescue work, and insurance while you are volunteering. The organisation also provides some uniforms and identification. If you are injured during a rescue, Wires' insurance covers medical costs related to that injury.

You are responsible for your own transport to rescue sites or to the office where you work. If you live far from your local branch, this can mean significant travel time and fuel costs. Some volunteers carpool or claim transport costs as a tax deduction, but Wires does not reimburse mileage. You also provide your own phone and any personal protective equipment beyond what Wires supplies — for example, if you wear glasses, you bring them; if you need a particular type of glove, you may need to source it yourself.

Age Requirements and Other Conditions

You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer with Wires. If you are 16 or 17, you can volunteer if a parent or guardian is present during rescue work and during training. Some roles — like hotline work or office-based tasks — may have different age rules, so ask when you contact the branch.

Wires will ask you to provide a Working With Children Check (WWCC) or a National Police Check, depending on the role and your state. This is a standard background check that takes a few weeks to process. The organisation covers the cost. If you have a criminal record, you are not automatically excluded — Wires assesses each case individually — but certain convictions may disqualify you from roles involving vulnerable people or animals in care.

You will also need to sign a volunteer agreement that covers confidentiality, safety, and conduct. This is straightforward and mostly covers obvious things: do not share details about people who call the hotline, follow safety procedures, and treat animals and other volunteers with respect.

Finding Your Local Branch and Getting Started

Wires operates across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, but it is organised into local branches. To find yours, go to wires.org.au and use the branch locator, or search for "Wires [your suburb]". Each branch has its own coordinator and its own schedule, so the branch closest to you is the one to contact.

You can also call the main hotline at 1300 094 737 and ask to be connected to your local branch's volunteer coordinator. This is faster than waiting for a response to an online form if you want to start soon. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, but volunteer coordinators usually work business hours, so you may be asked to leave a message.

Once you have the contact details for your branch, reach out with a brief description of what you want to do and how much time you have. The coordinator will take it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need animal experience to join Wires?

No. Most volunteers have no prior rescue experience. Wires trains you in everything you need to know about handling native Australian animals safely. What matters more is that you are reliable, calm under pressure, and willing to learn.

Can I volunteer if I have a fear of certain animals?

Yes, and Wires will work around it. If you are afraid of snakes, you do not have to take snake rescue calls. If you are uncomfortable with large birds, you can focus on smaller animals or non-rescue roles. Tell your coordinator about any fears during the initial conversation so they can match you to appropriate work.

What happens if I get bitten or scratched during a rescue?

Wires' insurance covers medical treatment for injuries sustained during volunteering. You should report any bite or scratch to your coordinator immediately, even if it seems minor, so it is documented. Wires also provides training on how to minimise the risk of injury through proper handling technique.

Can I volunteer part-time or just occasionally?

Yes. Some volunteers commit to a regular weekly shift, while others volunteer once or twice a month. Tell your coordinator what schedule works for you, and they will find a role that fits. Occasional volunteers are especially valuable for the hotline and for event support.

How long does it take from applying to going on my first rescue?

For hotline work, you might start within two to three weeks of applying. For hands-on rescue, expect four to eight weeks from application to your first supervised call, depending on when the next training cohort starts and how quickly you complete the program. If you are flexible about timing, you can start sooner.