Animal Transfer Policy
Endorsed15 December 2015
1.0 Transfers between branches
Transfers of animals between carers in different branches does not require special
permission, provided the transfer is consistent with current standards and guidelines.
These formalities should be followed:
i. The respective co-ordinators must be informed
ii. The receiving carer should take over responsibility for the record keeping and
reporting of fates. All previous records should be passed to the receiving carer.
iii. The receiving carer must have the appropriate training and resources
iv. The animal should be released in accordance with NPWS guidelines. In
particular, the animal should be released at an appropriate location. For
territorial animals this is likely to require release in the original location.
Animals benefit from routine, and transfers should minimise disruption the animal
and its care.
2.0 Transfers between other wildlife care organisations
Transfers between organisations can refer to either the transfer of an animal or the
transfer of rescue call that results in an animal coming into care.
2.1 When transfers of animals can occur:
Transfers between rescue organisations may occur in the following situations:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
To give access to facilities or resources that are not available in the
original organisation
To give access to care or skills that are not available within the original
organisation
To “buddy” animals or provide a suitable social group during care
As part of a rare or endangered species breeding program
If the animal is going into permanent care
As part of a specific agreement between the organisations
At the discretion of the co-ordinators and carers, transfers may also be allowed in the
following cases:
v. To assist another wildlife group that temporarily does not have capacity to
respond, eg: after a heat stress event or bush fire
vi. To provide access to animals that will help the receiving organisation build the
skills base in care
Transfers between organisations must comply with the following conditions:
vii. The transfer is consistent with current standards and guidelines
viii. All NPWS directives concerning the animal have been met
ix. If the animal is subject to legal proceedings it can only be transferred with the
consent/agreement of the relevant legal authority
x. The respective coordinators of both groups must consent to the transfer
xi. The receiving carer must have the appropriate training and resources
xii. The transfers must not impede the capacity of the receiving organisation to
cope with its own care requirements
After the transfer, the animal will remain solely the responsibility of the receiving
organisation.
2.2 Transfers of rescue calls
Rescue calls may be transferred from one care organisation to another if the initial
organisation is unable to find a qualified rescuer after an appropriate period of time.
The rapid transfer of rescue calls is encouraged when delaying the rescue is likely to
result in significant suffering, or the death of the animal, or if the animal poses a risk
to public health and safety.
2.3 Reporting
Transfers between organisations are subject to the following conditions:
i. The animal should be assigned a record number in the new organisation and
transferred to their licence.
ii. The records of the original organisation should show that the animal has been
transferred out of the organisation and is no longer covered by its licence.
iii. The records of both organisations should be cross-referenced to ensure that
animal data is accurate.
iv. Transferred animals must be clearly identified as such to clarify any necessary
duplication in the animal records sent annually to the NPWS
v. The receiving carer should take over responsibility for the record keeping and
reporting of fates. All previous records relating to care should be passed to the
receiving carer.
vi. The respective co-ordinators have consented to the transfer.
vii. Transfers between organisations must be explicitly reported in the monthly
branch reports, giving the reason for the transfer. These records should
distinguish between animals that are transferred and calls that are transferred.
viii. Where there are significant financial or resource implications, the board must
be informed. These conditions include, but are not limited to: animals that will
be in care for more than 3 months, animals that require specialised care and
resources, or when the net number of animals transferred (directly or through
transferred calls) exceeds 10 per branch per month.
ix. “Baby-sitting” between organisations is strongly discouraged, as it is
disruptive to the animal and creates uncertainty as to which organisation has
the animal on its licence. It should only occur in exceptional circumstances
and with the explicit consent of the co-ordinators from both organisations.
2.4 Maintaining capacity
Care must be taken that transfers to Sydney Wildlife allow us to maintain adequate
capacity to respond to rescue and care events within our own jurisdiction. This
includes maintaining availability of carers, infrastructure and limiting financial
exposure. We expect all other organisations to have the same requirements.
If the number of animals transferred between organisations is predominantly from
Sydney Wildlife over a period of more than a year, Sydney Wildlife will seek to:
i.
ii.
Build capacity by addressing resourcing and training issues
and/or put in place formal agreements covering the transfers, including the
resource and financial implications
Similarly, if the transfers are predominantly to Sydney Wildlife over a period of more
than a year, Sydney Wildlife will seek to:
iii.
iv.
Assist with training in the local group, if such training is not otherwise
available
and/or put in place formal agreements covering the transfers, including the
resource and financial implications
3.0 Transfers of macropod or wombat joeys
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Joeys should not be transferred within the first 3 weeks in care.
If a joey is rescued and the rescuer does not have the capacity to provide
long term care, the animal should be placed with a suitable carer as soon as
possible after rescue.
Joeys should be transferred prior to the stage of pouch emergence relative
to that species; this enables the joey to maintain its sense of security within
the familiar artificial pouch.
The disruption to the animal should be minimised- where possible, animals
should not be repeatedly transferred
Animals should be transferred using suitable transfer techniques for the
species involved.
4.0 Release
Transferred animals must be released in accordance with NPWS guidelines. In
particular the animal should be released at an appropriate location. For territorial
animals this is likely to require release in the original location. This may require
arrangements to be made with the original group.
Care should be taken to preserve the genetic diversity of local populations. We
conserve the unique genetic composition of different populations by releasing back to
the original area. This also reduces the risk of introducing disease to areas or
populations where it is not present.