Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, a leading all-species wildlife hospital dependent on donations, say they could close in a month due to uncertain funding and a 70% patient increase driving up veterinary care costs for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

“The economic climate makes it extremely difficult for charities like ours to raise funds to continue operating,” said Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital Founder and CEO Dr. Stephen Van Mil.  

“It's frustrating and sad because it is a vital service for wildlife, including threatened species.”

“Wildlife don’t have private owners to pay for veterinary care when they become sick or injured. We don’t believe it's ethical to charge volunteer wildlife carers or members of the public who assist injured native animals for the medical treatment they need to survive.”

The costs of providing medicines, food, anaesthetic, pathology, vital equipment and professional veterinary care by skilled and highly qualified veterinarians and nurses is significant, estimated at an average of $550 per patient according to the Wildlife Hospital’s veterinary and financial records. 

“We’ve had generous support from donors and sponsors who have contributed over $5 million over nearly four years. But we can’t rely on them alone.”

“We’ve had letters of support from all major parties across all government tiers, and have asked for support, including inviting the NSW and Federal Environment Ministers, to visit us.”

“We welcome the NSW government announcing statewide consultation to improve support for the wildlife care sector, but our need for emergency funding to meet the costs of professional care for wildlife is immediate.”

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is the only multi-species wildlife hospital operating in the north of New South Wales, a biodiversity hotspot. Opened in 2020, it operates 7 days a week, and has treated approximately 7000 native animals, including hundreds of threatened species. Over 42% of these patients are returned to care for rehabilitation or released, demonstrating the effectiveness of veterinary staff with skills and knowledge in the physiology and anatomy of native animals.

Custom-built inside a 22-wheel semi-trailer truck, the hospital can be deployed to natural disasters like bushfires or floods to treat impacted wildlife.

“Healing injured wildlife is intense work. We are committed to continuing because it’s an essential health service,” said the wildlife hospital’s Associate Veterinarian Dr Chantal Whitten.

“Like our general practice vet colleagues, we are only human, and do our best to get native animals back to health into the wild where they belong. The financial uncertainty is creating an added strain on our team.”

The hospital's financial challenges exacerbate the effects of a mental health crisis within the veterinary profession, as explored in Caroline Winter’s award-winning podcast series, “Sick as a Dog”.

“This crisis is claiming lives and impacting animal welfare. This isn’t just a problem for the industry, it’s a problem for everyone,” said Winter.

Australian state and territory governments are legally responsible for protecting native animals. Legislation requires the public to take injured animals to the nearest vet or rescuer, who are also legally required to assist these animals. 

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital’s services are free of charge and receive no government funding for operating costs. It is seeking tax-deductible donations and sponsorship to continue operating through a crowdfunding campaign.