EARTHCHAT: Caring for the Non-Human Species in Regional Victoria

Listen at noon, Tuesday 31 March on Seymour FM or anytime as a podcast.

Seymour Vet, Andrew Hogan, and wildlife rescuer and carer, Jenny Oakley, join Ruth to discuss the impact of the recent fires that caused tragic losses of livestock and native wildlife, not to mention the cruel experience of being burnt alive. As well, we’ll hear how we (humans) are generally managing our duty of care for wildlife, farm, and domestic animals.

As of 2019, over 30 countries formally recognized non-human animal sentience in their legislation, officially acknowledging that animals can feel, perceive the world, and experience emotions like pain and joy. Legal Status: Animals are often legally redefined from "property" or "objects" to sentient beings or living creatures.

The Australian Capital Territory is the only State that has passed this legislation. The rest of Australia still treats animals as property and is yet to recognize animals as sentient. Victoria is the only State considering passing this legislation but has again postponed tabling it in the parliament.

What will it take to expand our level of awareness to view our domestic animals as companions rather than as belongings - not as a right but rather, as a responsibility?

The RSPCA continue to be the managers of connection between human and animal welfare, such as addressing animal abandonment due to family violence or financial hardship. Still they are not government funded and therefore hold the status of a non government community based charity with over 90 - 97% of its funding coming from donations, fundraising, legacies, and appeals.

How do Councils support the RSPCA with raising awareness with residents to ensure animals in the Shires are being well cared for? Are their less strays out there? Cats in particular go feral to survive which we know is drastically adding to the destruction of our wildlife, including endangering many bird and marsupial species, and already whole species are lost due to wild cats. Cat curfews are not enforced with many cats still out overnight. Perhaps we need to lobby Councils to subsidize cat runs, like the worm farms they offered at a discounted price to residents some years ago…..?

We’ll learn more about the important and invaluable role Vets and Wildlife carers play in our world, and what we can do to support them, and their incredible tireless and heartfelt service.

You too can train in these fields as well as become a volunteer at a shelter. Join us to learn more about how to get involved, and for what promises to be a rich and heart warming program.

Key Wildlife Rescue Services & Contacts near Seymour and in Victoria

• Wildlife Victoria: 03 8400 7300 (Emergency response, 24/7).

• Wildcare Victoria (Tarcombe/Seymour Area): 03 5790 4193 (All wildlife, specializes in adult macropods).

• Trawool Wildlife Shelter (Seymour): 0429 268 680 (All wildlife, specialises in reptiles).

• LnLz Wildlife Care & Rescue (Strath Creek): 0407 063 331 (Bushfire relief and rescue).

• The Haven (Yea): 0417 373 098 or 5792 2293. 

Thank you to Andrew Morrison for your Wallaby photo - Watching Humans

Tune in to EarthChat on 103.9 FM at midday, Tuesday 31 March. Here is Seymour FM's website. 

Can't catch the radio show? Catch up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,  Podbean and the BEAM website. It is easy to EarthChat!