Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers

About TVWC

Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release ...

TVWC was formed in 1989 by a group of interested people in the Tweed area who saw there was a need for a group to care for sick, injured or orphaned native fauna.

Licensed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, under National Parks & Wildlife Service Licence MWL000100221, TVWC is made up totally of volunteers who spend many hours helping the group reach its aims.

Our objectives and aims revolve around the conservation and welfare of our local wildlife. Our foremost aim is the rescue and rehabilitation of native fauna for return to their natural environment, using the best and most up-to-date information from all relevant sources.

To this end, our volunteers undertake training in the rescue and care of native wildlife. Many members involved in the care of animals have specialist expertise in the rescue and rehabilitation of particular species or groups of animals, eg possums/gliders, macropods, waterbirds, monotremes, and flying foxes.

The group also aims to promptly and humanely relieve the suffering of animals whose injuries are so severe that they cannot be saved, with the assistance of local veterinarians. 

We also aim to educate the public by encouraging the protection and welfare of our native wildlife and their habitat. We are encouraged also to be involved in habitat enhancement in the Tweed Valley by planting locally grown suitable species on public reserves, and encourage by example, and education, similar improvements.

In addition, where absolutely necessary, our members will attend to the relocation of native wildlife under threat, to other suitable habitat for that species. Where possible, members of the public are encouraged to live with the wonderful array of animals that inhabit our region, including ones that cause them distress, such as reptiles, often unnecessarily.

Fundraising activities and education projects are also undertaken, to maintain the viability of the group, and to achieve other objectives. In 1998 we received charity status, and in 2006 were granted gift tax deductibility status, allowing donations to be claimed as tax deductions. We hope, along with our fundraising activities, these steps will increase donations and allow the group to continue its vital work.

Nevertheless, the group relies almost entirely on the goodwill and dedication of its members, with carers covering almost all of the costs of the rescue and rehabilitation of our native animals, including enclosures, food, transport, power, etc.

This small band of carers, between them, are responsible for the rehabilitation of over 2,500 animals a year, with the group fielding approximately 4,000 calls to its 24 hour hotline in 2008.

In the process of browsing through the pages of our website, we trust you will understand why we do it, and will help us to continue looking out for the interests of our native animals.