Microchips Australia has recently donated $2000 to Bohollow Wildlife Shelter’s GoFundMe campaign.
Bohollow services much of northern Victoria, and is a registered 24-hour rescue service that rescues, rehabilitates and releases native wildlife back into its natural habitat.
Shelter co-owner Kirsty Ramadan organised the fundraiser back in December to to support one of its longest-serving volunteers after a cancer diagnosis, and to assist the replacement of their transport vehicle.
While Microchips Australia — which hosts much of Australia’s pet data via their microchip distribution and databases — is based in Melbourne, director Doug Black is based in Moama.
“For many years I owned the Moama Veterinary Clinic before selling the practice some 10 years ago,” Dr Black said.
“I am a vet who specialised in Avian medicine and surgery and Kirsty used to bring birds and wildlife cases to me at the clinic back then.
“Kirsty is the most dedicated and skilled wildlife carer that I have worked with.
“She is always on call, heading out at any time of the day or night to often remote and challenging situations to rescue and treat injured or sick wildlife.
“She does all of this on limited funds, but now, with the very sad news of Dave's cancer and the lack of an appropriate vehicle, Kirsty is facing even greater challenges.”
Dr Black and Microchips Australia have donated $2000 to the fundraising campaign, which has now raised just under $16,000 of its $50,000 goal.
“Microchips Australia and our other company Central Animal Records donate funds, microchips, readers, equipment and services to wildlife conservation and research, animal welfare organisations and humanitarian projects like Pets in the Park,” Dr Black said.
“These organisations and projects are all over Australia and some are overseas, but I couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient of funds for wildlife care and rehabilitation than Kirsty’s shelter, and even better that it is in my local area.”