If you’re been on social media lately, your feed has probably been filled with horrifying images of the devastating fires ravaging Australia. It’s been reported that 15.6 million acres of bush, forest, and parks have been burned—and the number is still climbing. To put that massive size into perspective, last year’s Amazon fire destroyed 4.6 million acres of rain forest.
With this horrible crisis has come a lot of loss. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, at least 24 people have died, and so many animals have lost their lives. It’s being estimated that the bushfires have already caused the deaths of 480 million animals. (That number doesn’t even include all the insects, bats, and frogs that have been wiped out.)
Something like this can make you feel incredibly helpless. But no matter where you are in the world, you can help make a difference by donating to one of the organizations doing everything possible to save and help the animals affected by the Australia fires, from koalas and kangaroos to sheep and chickens.
6 Animal-Saving Organizations That Need Your Donations
1. WIRES
WIRES rescues and cares for the sick, injured, and orphaned animals affected by the fires and is in desperate need of donations to help nurse them back to health. Donate on Facebook.
2. RSPCA New South Wales
RSPCA New South Wales is assisting at evacuation centers and helping members of the public get their pets and livestock to safety. Farm animals are often forgotten in crisis, and this organization is working to prevent that from happening. Donate on the website.
3. World Wildlife Fund Australia
World Wildlife Fund Australia is asking for emergency funds to help care for injured wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, honeyeaters, and cockatoos. They will also be helping restore animals’ homes once the fires clear. Donate on the website.
4. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is asking for donations to purchase, distribute, and replenish automatic drinking stations in the burnt areas to help koalas and other wildlife survive. Donate on GoFundMe.
5. Australian Animal Rescue
The Australian Animal Rescue is asking for donations to buy medical supplies and food for animals. Your donations will go toward food and other needs for dogs, cats, birds, horses, chickens, and more. Donate on Facebook.
Donations to Wildlife Victoria will be distributed to wildlife shelters and carers in order to help them rebuild the enclosures and equipment that were destroyed in the fires. Those items are crucial in helping them continue to save and care for animals. Donate on Facebook.