Areas We Cover
Our Home Range
Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) operates within a licensed area in New South Wales covering more than 1 million hectares. Our dedicated group of volunteers rescue, rehabilitate and release injured, sick, orphaned and distressed native animals across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland, Singleton and (part of) Muswellbrook Local Government Areas.
Our Home Range
Our Home Range
Licensed wildlife rescue groups in NSW work within defined regional boundaries, our home range. These boundaries help coordinate rescue efforts, avoid duplication of services, and ensure animals are cared for by volunteers familiar with local habitats and species. When an animal is found, the finder is encouraged to contact the local licensed group responsible for that area. If the nearest group can’t respond, arrangements may be made with neighbouring groups under mutual support agreements.
These boundaries also matter for reporting and data collection — helping authorities track wildlife incidents, monitor rehabilitation outcomes, and plan for emergency responses during fires, floods, or heatwaves. While licence holders can sometimes work across boundaries in emergencies or under agreement, understanding and respecting these zones ensures effective coordination, better animal care, and stronger partnerships between volunteers, the community, and government agencies.
Join Our Team Of Volunteers
Our organisation is entirely volunteer-run, with members across the Hunter working tirelessly to ensure every animal in our care receives the highest standard of care.
If you live within our licensed area, we’d love to welcome you to the team. In some circumstances, we may be able to accept members from outside our licensed region — please contact our Membership Officer at membership@hunterwildlife.org.au to discuss first.
Our Work Across The Hunter
Rescue
Our rescuers and transporters are an integral part of our rescue network. With dozens of calls per day, we do our best to attend incidents in a timely manner. Rescuers are tasked with safely retrieving and containing any native wildlife that may require assistance before transporting to a carer or veterinary clinic.
Rehabilitate
Dedicated carers work tirelessly to rehabilitate injured and sick wildlife and prepare them for re-release. Some animals require round-the-clock attention for their feed and medication needs to be met. Orphaned wildlife require gentle rearing and eventually pre-release training to teach them life skills they will need to survive.
Release
Our primary objective is to return all rehabilitated wildlife back to the area from which it came when they are healthy and are able to fend for themselves.​ Returning native wildlife to their natural habitat preserves the integrity of our ecosystems and the populations of unique native species that live within them.