Special Christmas 2011 Wishlist!
General Donations Wishlist
Many people have asked me lately how they can help out so I've decided to set up a page to detail the needs I have and the real costs involved. Where possible, I'll source the whereabout of goods and services so you can donate as you feel comfortable. I'd like to say in advance..that your time is the most valuable thing you can ever donate, and your ongoing support and emotional philanthropy is the next most valuable. None of what we do would be possible without that.
Another reason for developing this page is that rather than just impersonally taking your hard earned cash, if you wanted to, you could buy these items yourself and so assure yourself as to where the money is really going. Its less ambiguos and tends to be an easy and ethical way of doing things for many people and for me too as I rarely have time to go shopping!
It is also possible to make your donation available through these local vet clinics , one time or regular contributions to be given to us as or when needed. You can drop them there with your name or anonymously either for me specifically (Blue SKy Shelter), or if you like, for any wildlife carer who attends that clinic to pick up as/when needed. If this is your kind of thing, just let the receptionist know what, who and why.
Just so you know, all Blue Sky animal individuals go to Dr Adam Campbell at the Altona Vet clinic for their checkups during the week. Dr Tom at Williamstown on weekends. Dr Adam, who along with this wonderful staff, many of whom are wildlife carers and went to the fire gounds during black saturday to help out, has been a gentle caring and wise support for over 3 years. ( big thanks)
So...onto the donations thing:
Another reason for developing this page is that rather than just impersonally taking your hard earned cash, if you wanted to, you could buy these items yourself and so assure yourself as to where the money is really going. Its less ambiguos and tends to be an easy and ethical way of doing things for many people and for me too as I rarely have time to go shopping!
It is also possible to make your donation available through these local vet clinics , one time or regular contributions to be given to us as or when needed. You can drop them there with your name or anonymously either for me specifically (Blue SKy Shelter), or if you like, for any wildlife carer who attends that clinic to pick up as/when needed. If this is your kind of thing, just let the receptionist know what, who and why.
Just so you know, all Blue Sky animal individuals go to Dr Adam Campbell at the Altona Vet clinic for their checkups during the week. Dr Tom at Williamstown on weekends. Dr Adam, who along with this wonderful staff, many of whom are wildlife carers and went to the fire gounds during black saturday to help out, has been a gentle caring and wise support for over 3 years. ( big thanks)
So...onto the donations thing:
- My most important need at present is solid shelters, both portable and permenant. THese are still urgently needed.So if you or hubby are a handy man or builder and would like to help out, I am happy to supply wire timber etc, if you're willing to put in the time one weekend for a building day. The enclosures are simple box style, so no major equipment or knowledge is required, its just something fiddly that I could really use help with. Similarly, any old cat or dog travel crates, large gunea pig cages or stand alone large avaiarys are always welcome as these make great housing for little ones and short stay residents. Of course if you'd like to donate wire, timber and nails, that would be wonderful too! This is a time and energy 'getting hands on' kind of donation as much as a skills or goods one! On the subject of do it yourself building projects..possum boxes are always a necessity too!
- Ongoing costs of rehabilitating even healthy possums are quite significant. Apart from housing, fruit, foilage gathering and bedding, there are specific mixtures of drinks and supplements that are required for dietary stability. Things like Impact - a colostrum replacement can be up to $110.00 per bottle, Divet-a-lac or other marsupial milk powder comes in at $60.00 per large tin, $175.00 for a tub. Thats not to mention necessary protein powders, insectavor, and other supplements that go along with the task of raising little kitts into big possums. Even with subsidies, these items are invaulable and frequently needed. If these items are within your donation range, there are many local stockists - try this address: Wombaroo.
- Heatpads....just can't get too many. A little baby possy has to be kept at around 36-38oC or quite simply, they will die. It might sound easy to acheive that , but it isnt and for most wildlife carers, heatpads are the answer. Sadly though, they are so expensive I've sat up many nights boiling water for hot water bottles and with thermometors in hand rather than fork out the funds to get one. Some are thermostatically controlled which is prefferable, some arent..either way, they are the number one most valuable tool for keeping little babes alive. The two I have are in use 24/7. Little hint.. Wildlife Victoria has microwave heat pads for $40.00 that are perfect for us here as they are in keeping with our eco conscious practices and reduce my energy bills!
- My biggest Santa wish ever? An incubator! This possy mummy would need a very kind sugar mummy or daddy for this one but I thought what the hay...I'll put it out there into the universe anyway. With this little device providing uniform heat and stability of temp control, my recovery rates from shock would be better, pinki survival rates would increase and many injured pouchlings could be eased back to life and health much more simply than with my current methods. They are insanely expensive..which is why so few of us have them..but you never know...this is why this page is a wishlist. The alternative to an incubator are snake boxes with thermostats. They are slightly cheaper but harder for me to even laybye as no one seems willing to do that...so if secret santa or super keno comes in one day - please keep me in mind!
So...thats its...my starry eyed wishlist. If anything here strikes you as 'doable' or there is something else you can donate, please do contact me. You have my thanks and grattitude just for reading!
Thank you for caring!
Blue
