WIRES

Charity - WIRES
Item/s - Joey, Macropod & Possom Pouches
Links - Facebook | Website

Every day WIRES volunteers are taking orphaned young marsupials into care. These young animals need a safe and warm environment that is as similar as possible to their mothers pouch where they would normally be if they were not in care. Each joey in care therefore needs a pouch.

There are two kinds of pouches, one inner liner of cotton and an outer pouch made of wool. The inner liner is changed frequently often after each feed which can mean up to 6 pouches being needed or just one joey every 24 hours. Many WIRES carers have multiple joeys in care at any given time and the number of pouches used each day can climb very quickly. On average a carer will often have 20-30 pouches in the wash at any given time. The size of the pouches needed, changes depending on both the age of the joey and the species. In all cases the regular washing required means the life span of each pouch is limited and the need for pouches is ongoing.

You can help, the sewing and knitting required is fairly basic and there is a factsheet available to explain sizes and material requirements. The main requirement is the inner linings must be 100% cotton and the outer knitted pouches must be pure wool. Synthetic materials do not breathe and are not appropriate. Completed pouches are always gratefully received at our Forestville office which is at 9 Cook Street, Forestville. Alternatively you can call 02 8977 3333 to find your nearest branch.

See a clip featured on Sunrise about how the pouches are used by our volunteers

If you would like to help please take a look at the factsheet on making possum pouches or macropod pouches and help us care for our wildlife. For more information visit our Facebook page and website.

Wildlife Victoria

Charity - Wildlife Victoria

Item/s - Handmade Joey Pouches & Possum Boxes

Due to many forms of human intervention our iconic and precious wildlife suffer every day. Wildlife Victoria cares for these voiceless animals and is committed to reducing that suffering and providing as many animals as possible with another chance at life.

Our incredible band of over 1500 volunteers responds to wildlife calls for help seven days a week with compassion, love and dedication. Maybe you would like to join us and help us succeed at attaining our growing mission? There are other ways you can help Victoria’s wildlife and not all of them include climbing a tree to catch a koala. On our website you’ll find some information on handmade joey pouches and possum boxes, two incredibly useful items for our volunteer rescuers and carers.

The easiest place to send them is to our office for distribution amongst volunteers: Wildlife Victoria Kindness House, Box 3, 288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 3065 Victoria. We’ll also take clean pillow cases, towels, blankets and sheep skins. For more information please visit our Facebook page and website.