The Joey and Bat Sanctuary Melbourne is a wildlife rehabilitation shelter that provides care for injured and orphaned joeys and bats. The shelter was established due to the increasing urbanization and urban sprawl that has resulted in the shrinking of native bushland that was home to native wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, echidnas, koalas, flying foxes, microbats, and other native species.
As these animals’ habitats are being destroyed, they are forced to move into urban areas, where they often come into contact with people and vehicles, resulting in tragic consequences for the animals. The Joey and Bat Sanctuary was established to help provide a caring and safe environment for these animals.
The shelter is run by Julie Malherbe, who is a passionate animal lover and has been actively involved in caring for native wildlife since she emigrated from South Africa in 2011. She started as a rescuer and foster carer under the guidance of Macloud Animal Shelter and quickly became one of the most active rescuers for Wildlife Victoria. In 2013, she received authorization from the Victoria State Government to become a registered wildlife rehabilitation shelter, and the Joey and Bat Sanctuary became a reality.
The shelter is self-funded, and while they receive some state funding, it is only enough to just cover a few months of food for their orphans. As such, they rely heavily on donations from the public to continue their important work. Julie is also a committee member of The Wildlife Rescuers, a dedicated group of volunteers with the same goal and ideals as the Joey and Bat Sanctuary.
By supporting the Joey and Bat Sanctuary, individuals can make a profound change in the lives of injured and orphaned joeys and bats. The shelter provides a safe and caring environment for these animals and works tirelessly to ensure their rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild.