By XAVIER SMERDON
FROM the outside Dawn Stanford’s house looks the same as all the others in the quiet Werribee street.
But as soon as you step into her backyard you can tell that this is no ordinary home.
For the past three years Ms Stanford and her husband Gregory have been nursing sick, injured and orphaned native Australian animals back to health.
As the founder of Wildlife Out West Ms Stanford has saved more than 2000 animals since she opened the group.
The group relies on donations from the public and the occasional grant from local organisations, but last year Ms Stanford and her husband spent more than $25,000 out of their own pockets.
“Why do I do it? Because it’s the best job in the world,” Ms Stanford said.
“We do it for the animals, because if we don’t do it who else will?”
The group originally started as Wildlife of Werribee, but Ms Stanford quickly realised that as she was being brought animals from as far away as Footscray and Geelong, Wildlife Out West was a more appropriate name.
While the most common animals brought to her front door include possums and birds, Ms Stanford has even received pelicans and penguins.
As a recognised Wildlife Shelter Authorised Holder, Ms Stanford is part of a select group of people who are allowed to look after native animals.
“People don’t realise that it is illegal for any member of the public to take home and care for native Australian wildlife,” she said.
“This job is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We even work Christmas day.”
Ms Stanford is the third nominee for the Star Volunteer of the Year Award.
Each week a different volunteer will be profiled and a winner of the inaugural award will be announced 8 January next year.
Do you know a volunteer? Please send details to star@starnewsgroup.com.au
To help Wildlife Out West call 0450 016 102 or visit www.wildlifeoutwest.org
