- If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, then the procedure should be conducted by a registered veterinary practitioner.
- Performing surgical treatment on animals is a breach of this condition and an offence under the Wildlife Act. It may also constitute an offence under the POCTA Act.
- There are also strict laws that govern the use of veterinary drugs in Victoria. A person can only administer Schedule 4, 8 or 9 poisons, where supplied for the treatment of an animal by a veterinarian. These poisons include certain types of antibiotics, sedatives, muscle relaxants, anaesthetics and anti-inflammatories, amongst others.
- Possessing or administering Schedule 4, 8 or 9 poisons without veterinary direction may constitute an offence under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017.

#### Euthanasia (destroying) of wildlife

Condition 9 You must arrange for the following wildlife to be promptly euthanised: • wildlife experiencing unreasonable and/or incurable pain, distress, trauma, sickness or injury; or • wildlife (other than species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) that have lost limbs or function of limbs, including tails; or • wildlife (other than species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) that are likely to require extended periods in captivity to be rehabilitated; or • wildlife (other than species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) that show clinical signs of disease which fail to respond in the expected timeframe to an appropriate treatment regime; or • wildlife (other than species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) that are unlikely to survive or integrate in the wild; or • wildlife (other than species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) that have permanent vital sensory loss (hearing, sight, smell) or permanent damage to their nervous system; or • wildlife (other than species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) that require euthanasia under Condition 22; or • marsupials that are un-furred with eyes closed and ears down.

######## Objective

To prevent animals experiencing extended or significant pain and to ensure that injured, sick and orphaned wildlife can be successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Threatened species are a priority for rehabilitation and therefore are exempt from some of the euthanasia requirements, as listed above. However, threatened species experiencing unreasonable and/or incurable pain, distress, trauma, sickness or injury must be promptly euthanised in accordance with conditions 10 & 11.

######## How to comply

Euthanise wildlife that you receive or acquire that will continue to experience declining animal welfare if it remains alive. For example, the following must be euthanised:

- • wildlife that have an incurable (able to be treated but not cured) infectious disease;
- • wildlife that are unable to adjust to temporary care;
- • wildlife with chronic ill health;

Wildlife should be released from care as soon as possible after rehabilitation. While some injuries take time to heal, long periods in captivity can place significant stress on wildlife and result in the loss of survival skills, increased familiarity and dependence on humans, a loss of instinctual fear of domestic pets and the risk that the wildlife’s space in the wild will become occupied. The sooner wildlife can be rehabilitated and released, the greater their chance of survival.

Wildlife Shelter and Foster Carer Authorisation Guide – V5.00 July 2019

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