In built-up areas like Townsville, Animal Rescue Driver numbers are low which stretches the resources of people like Petal Walker, a long-serving volunteer rescue driver.
Ms Walker said she and her husband Rob were incredibly busy responding to incidents involving both pets and farm animals.
"I have rescued everything in my time here from dogs, cats and poultry to exotic birds and Blue-tongued lizards."
Over the Monarch's Birthday long weekend, Petal and Rob responded to 6 jobs from Ayr to Bushland Beach ranging from a Cockatiel, which was found entangled in string in a tree, to a Wallaby joey caught in a fence.
The joey had wounds on its legs but was otherwise in very good condition. It was taken to a vet, triaged and is now with a wildlife carer.
RSPCA Queensland Animal Care Coordinator Nicola Carlisle said as the weather heats up there is an increase in the number of animals affected by the conditions, "Our volunteer rescue drivers provide around-the-clock and vital care for animals."
Thousands of animals are saved and given the care they urgently need thanks to the help provided by our incredible volunteers. Every year, RSPCA volunteers donate a whopping 340,000 hours of their time to the cause.
If you can join the fight to save our wildlife, you can help as an Animal Rescuer with the RSPCA. There are shifts available every day of the week in four hour or eight-hour blocks.
Rescue drivers respond to calls for assistance sent to the RSPCA Rescue Unit. They help collect and transport animals to a nearby vet. Animals commonly rescued include birds, dogs, cats, and more.
The RSPCA team provides all the training you need for the role. If you have a friend or partner that also wants to help, they can assist you on road during your rescue shift too.
