The NSW government has revoked a four-year, $6 million funding announcement for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, putting the region's only all-species wildlife hospital at risk of closure and threatening the survival of thousands of native animals, and entire species.

We received notice that the grant was not approved just a week out from when it was due to kick in, leaving the staff, carers, volunteers and broader community in utter shock.

The hospital treats and cares for native animals from birds, mammals and reptiles to marine animals such as turtles. Our not-for-profit supports 19 jobs - these are passionate people who provide professional services seven days a week, completely free of charge. This includes veterinary and rehabilitation care for sick, injured and orphaned native animals.

The Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital was established after the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires in 2019. Our team of expert wildlife vets and nurses have treated over 4000 native animals, returning almost half of their patients to care or for release into the wild. Our work is effective, yet, the NSW government claims that the hospital doesn’t demonstrate "value for money" - this is why they have chosen not to give us the funding we were promised and that they announced in February.

Climate science indicates that Australia will face El Nino-driven extreme weather events in 2023-24. As seen in the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires of 2019, this puts wildlife in clear and present danger of injury, death and extinction in the case of threatened species. 

We are Australia’s largest mobile wildlife hospital, custom-built inside a 22-wheel semi-trailer, able to go anywhere in Australia to help wildlife impacted by natural disasters. It’s a shame the government doesn’t think protecting our rich fauna is a priority.

If the hospital is forced to close, more wildlife in the state's richly biodiverse northern region will die needlessly from road accidents, natural disasters, disease and attacks by feral pests because members of the public and carers will have nowhere to take them for expert care.

Please sign and share this petition to send a message to the NSW Government: Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital has proven capacity to deliver value-for-money veterinary treatment and rehabilitation services that contribute to NSW's environmental priorities, and is widely supported by the Australian community.

The Biodiversity Conservation Act states that NSW's wildlife is the property of and protected by the Crown. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 stipulates that if someone has a protected animal in their care, they are responsible for seeking veterinary treatment, and they must present it to a veterinarian or a licensed wildlife rehabilitation group. Despite this, there is an expectation that volunteers and veterinarians donate their services without compensation. It is reasonable the Government contributes directly to the cost of providing professional medical care to animals that they own. 

Read more about why the local community is supporting us:

“The invaluable work of the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital restores a multitude of stricken animals to good health, ensuring their future viability. As we are on the perilous brink of losing many of our wonderful, wild species, the closure of this vital facility would leave highly-skilled professionals uselessly unemployed, and unable to help our damaged and dying animals. 

Please contribute in any way you can to preserve the precious wildlife remaining in our ecologically-diverse Northern Rivers Region.” Delvene Delaney, volunteer and advocate.

"Since Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital has been operating in our region, the amount of time needed to be spent on wildlife by local vets in a wide catchment area has dropped dramatically, as have the direct costs incurred at vet clinics to wildlife care." Dr Evan Kosack BVSc, Lennox head Veterinary Clinic.