Sewing, knitting, crocheting for native animal rescue

Many quilters and other crafters are interested in using their skills to make items to help wildlife during the widespread bushfires in NSW and Queensland. There are many regional and local services caring for particular species in particular areas, and each will have its own requirements.

The response has been very generous, and some services have all the mittens, pouches and liners that they can currently use and store. Please check with the service you wish to help whether they are accepting items now, or will need them in the future before sending your contributions off, and for the materials that they can use (most need natural fibres, particularly cotton).

Media attention has been largely focussed on koala rescue, but other species are, of course, also affected.

WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) is Australia's largest wildlife rescue organisation. WIRES mission is to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same. WIRES works under a license issued by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (www.wires.org.au).

The WIRES fact sheet on pouches are here: www.wires.org.au/wildlife-info/wildlife-factsheets/making-possum-pouches

One of our members who has been a WIRES rescuer recommends that washed flannelette sheets and pillowcases make excellent pouch liners as they are very soft, but closely enough woven that claws don't snag.

This article points out that there will be much rescue and rehabilitation work to be done with native animals once the fire emergency has passed, and that crafted items will be needed long afterwards - so keep making, and be ready to pass them on as they are needed.