‘Wildlife don’t come with a credit card': who pays for a koala’s vet bill?

Despite the financial strain and workplace shortage in the veterinary industry, many regional NSW vets continue to treat native wildlife pro bono.

Transcript

00:00Australia's native wildlife is under serious threat with a surge in wildlife care admissions

00:07amid a lack of funding and veterinary care specialists.

00:11There's no Medicare for wildlife. Wildlife don't come with a credit card.

00:16So, you know, we take on that responsibility because we feel like we should.

00:21Despite the financial strain on the veterinary industry,

00:25many regional New South Wales vets continue to treat native wildlife,

00:30like koalas, pro bono with no compensation.

00:34If wildlife don't get the care that they need or the care that they deserve,

00:39so that timely veterinary treatment, then the option is for them not to get any treatment

00:43and to potentially, you know, pass away in quite a horrific manner or in quite a painful way.

00:49It's not necessarily a sustainable outcome for the charity sector

00:53that is largely driven by volunteers to fund that work.