Hunter Wildlife Rescue

(registered as NATF)

The Native Animal Trust Fund Inc. has been retitled to Hunter Wildlife Rescue (registerd as NATF). It is a not-for-profit incorporated association, licensed by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to RESCUE, REHABILITATE and RELEASE injured, sick, orphaned and distressed native fauna other than marine mammals in the Hunter Region, NSW.

All Wildlife is Protected in NSW

All native fauna in NSW is protected under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and an authority must be obtained to hold these animals.

 The Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) was the first volunteer wildlife rescue group to operate in NSW and was licensed in 1978.

We operate rescue activities throughout the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland local government areas.

Our Objective

The main objective of the Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) is to return all native fauna back to its wildlife habitat when fit to fend for itself.



All Members are Volunteers

All members are volunteers and there are no paid staff. Due to the broad area covered geographically , we are always eager for new members to join. We are looking for member who have a passion for wildlife and can contribute in any way as rescuers, transporters, phone operators or rehabilitators/carers.

 The part you play will be your own choice, from rescuing injured fauna, transporting from vet clinics to rehabilitators, rehabilitating injured or orphaned wildlife, manning a shift to help respond to calls for assistance and advice on the 24 hour phone, supporting its Disaster Relief operations or you can choose to be a financial member only and just receive our newsletter Wildlife Whispers.

We are indebted to community members who assist our injured, sick or orphaned wildlife by not only contacting us but by containing and transporting wildlife to the nearest vet.  This ensures  our wildlife receive the most immediate and professional veterinarian assessment available, pain relief and the development of a rehabilitation management plan for our volunteers to implement.

We Welcome New Members

Due to the broad area covered geographically , we are always eager for new members to join. We are looking for member who have a passion for wildlife and can contribute in any way as rescuers, transporters, phone advise & rescue coordinators or rehabilitators/carers. The part you play will be your own choice, from rescuing injured fauna, transporting from vet clinics to rehabilitators, rehabilitating injured or orphaned wildlife, manning a shift to help respond to calls for assistance and advice on the 24 hour phone, supporting its Disaster Relief operations or you can choose to be a financial member only and just receive our newsletter Wildlife Whispers.

We Train Our Members

Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) has a comprehensive Training program (see Training) and volunteers meet each March, June, September and December. More information may be obtained by contacting:

The Secretary

PO Box 17
SHORTLAND NSW 2307
or E-mail: secretary@hunterwildlife.org.au