RSPCA, the Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, Wildlife Victoria and Animal Welfare Victoria are partnering to urge household fruit growers to protect the vulnerable grey-headed flying-foxes and other wildlife by checking their household fruit tree netting ahead of this year’s fruit harvest.

Many Victorians may be unaware they are using illegal netting on their household fruit trees and vegetable gardens, subsequently creating a deadly threat to the grey-headed flying-fox, which is listed as a “vulnerable” species.

Wildlife Victoria rescued 189 native animals from household fruit tree netting last year, including 32 grey-headed flying-foxes.

The species plays a vital role in dispersing seeds and pollinating native flowering plants, with many plant species relying on natural pollinators like the grey- headed flying-fox for survival.

Since 1 September 2021, it has been illegal to use netting with a mesh size greater than 5mm x 5mm on household fruit trees in Victoria, with offenders potentially subject to on-the-spot fines of $395.

Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator said, “We’re urging all household fruit growers to ensure they understand the law and use legal fruit tree netting that protects both native wildlife and your household fruit trees.”  

RSPCA Victoria Head of Prevention, Rebecca Cook, said, “The quickest and easiest way to tell if your fruit tree netting is potentially dangerous to grey-headed flying foxes, and other wildlife, is to try and poke your finger through the netting.”

“The safe, legal netting will be too small to poke your finger through and will keep our native wildlife safe from being tangled in your fruit trees.

“An alternative to netting your entire fruit tree is to use individual fruit bags or sleeves around your tree’s fruit instead.

“If you’re preparing to net your fruit trees during spring, please make sure your netting is the right type and help protect your fruit harvest and the vulnerable grey-headed flying fox.”

Community members who find a flying-fox trapped in fruit tree netting, should not attempt to touch or handle it and must call an experienced, vaccinated wildlife rescuer to assist.

To find a rescuer, call 136 186 or use the Help for Injured Wildlife Tool: wildlife.vic.gov.au/hfiw

The Conservation Regulator and five local councils are offering a free net swap program for residential household fruit growers with partner UPPAREL to recycle the collected netting.

For more information about illegal netting and Victoria’s Net Swap pilot program visit rspcavic.org/grey-headed-flying-fox-spring-netting

RSPCA Victoria and CFA are calling on Victorians to include pets in their bushfire survival plans, as Victoria faces an increased risk of fires this summer, especially in drought-affected areas.

Pet owners can save valuable time in fire emergencies by having bedding, food, and water ready to go for their furry friend.

RSPCA Victoria Head of Prevention, Rebecca Cook highlighted the importance of including pets in bushfire survival plans.

“Planning for emergencies is part of life in Victoria, and is critical during the summer months,” Ms Cook said.

“We’re urging everyone to make sure their pets are included in their Fire Ready plans in place ahead of what could be a very dangerous fire season this year.”

“An emergency kit with medication, photos or scans on your phone of important documents like vaccination certifications, and updated contact details on microchips and collars, are just some of the items to prepare in advance.

“Including your pets in your Fire Ready plans increases the chances of you and your pet making it to safety in an emergency situation.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the finer details matter when preparing a bushfire plan.

“Everyone should always prioritise their own safety, however your bushfire plan isn’t fully complete unless it accounts for your pets,” Jason said.

“When building your plan, think about what your pets will eat and drink, necessary medications, how you transport them, and where you are taking them.

“Once your kit is prepared, keep it in an easily accessible place, with towels and woollen blankets on hand to protect pets during the journey and help keep them as cool as possible.

“Lastly, microchipping your pets for easy identification and ensuring your phone number is visible on their collar will help you get reunited sooner in case you get separated.”

For horses and livestock, a separate plan is required.

“If you aren’t able to evacuate livestock, a large, well-grazed, and fenced area away from roads where they can move freely with access to water, would be the safest place for them,” Jason said.

“A late evacuation will put you and your animals at risk; Make sure you’re prepared.”

Go to rspcavic.org/emergencyplanning or cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/pets-and-bushfires for help making your emergency plan this summer.

RSPCA Victoria has welcomed the release of the independent expert advisory panel’s report regarding the review of the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Victorian Government’s response.

RSPCA Victoria believes that all Victorian wildlife, from little penguins, wombats, and tawny frogmouths to blue-tongue lizards, deserve strong laws to protect their welfare and ensure they can thrive into the future.

RSPCA Victoria’s Head of Prevention Rebecca Cook said securing the release of the report and response has been a key advocacy focus for RSPCA Victoria, as the Act is now 50 years old.

“It’s imperative legislation aiming to protect our native wildlife in Victoria is fit for purpose and contemporary,” Ms Cook said.

“We are pleased to see the changes endorsed by government will provide the Conservation Regulator with better enforcement and compliance tools to safeguard our native wildlife.

“In particular, we are pleased to see increases to maximum penalties and the introduction of new offences to the Act to deter offenders and ensure those who do offend receive appropriate penalties.

“We’re also happy to see the extension of the statute of limitations for investigating wildlife crime and the filing of charges for offences against the Act.

“However, we are extremely disappointed to see the government continues to support recreational native bird shooting – something both the expert advisory panel and a Parliamentary Inquiry recommended be banned.”

RSPCA Victoria believes all native birds should be protected under this Act and should not be allowed to be hunted with shotguns, as it results in high rates of wounding and suffering.

RSPCA Victoria made 16 recommendations in its 2021 submission to the expert advisory panel including;

• tighter regulation of unprotection orders,
• removal of non-native species from the Act,
• better oversight of Authority to Control Wildlife Permits, and
• development of sentencing guidelines to ensure consistency

RSPCA Victoria welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of mandatory codes of practice proposed to be developed under the Act and will continue to review the content in these reports and provide a more fulsome response in due course.

On Thursday, 9^th October, RSPCA Victoria will open a new, op shop near Camberwell Junction, joining other op shops in the fashionable shopping area.

The new store will offer a wide range of high-quality homewares and popular fashion brands to locals, while helping to care for some of the state’s most vulnerable animals.

RSPCA Victoria Head of Commercial Enterprises, Edwina Morgan, said every purchase from an RSPCA Op Shop helps create a better future for animals in Victoria.

“RSPCA Victoria Op Shops give the community another way to support a cause they care deeply about – animal welfare,” Ms Morgan said.

“In the last financial year, more than 7,500 animals came through our shelters, many needing essential veterinary treatment before they were ready for adoption.

“Every donation and purchase helps not only to care for these vulnerable animals but also to create a better future by reducing waste and building community connections.

“Our Camberwell store will be stocked with unique fashion and homewares, from much-loved brands like to sought-after labels you know and love.”

Camberwell is a strong retail and community hub with an established op-shopping culture, and its proximity to other charity shops creates ‘op-shop trails’, encouraging people to spend more time in the area.

“Our shops provide a way for shoppers to find quality and style at affordable prices, while giving clothing a longer life,” Ms Morgan continued.

“We are excited to expand our Op Shop network, and we are calling for donations of good quality, undamaged items, and for volunteers looking to develop their retail skills and make friends in a fun environment.”

RSPCA Victoria aims to bring more opportunities for sustainable shopping to Victorians, with plans to grow its Op Shop network to 25 stores in the next three years.

In the last financial year, RSPCA Victoria Op Shops diverted 284,867 items from landfill.

Express your interest in volunteering at one of RSPCA Victoria Op Shops here.

Find out how to donate items for RSPCA Victoria Op Shops here.