meeting the growing need for the treatment and care of injured, sick and orphaned native Australian wildlife of all species.

Who We Are

If I can do something to alleviate the stress, pain and suffering of these animals…that’s why I do this work.” 
Dr. Howard Ralph OAM – Founder

Wildlife rescuers and carers for a great job helping our native wildlife. But they cannot do it alone. Without veterinary intervention, many of these animals will suffer and die.

As wildlife require special care and treatment, they need to go to a veterinarian with experience in wildlife. Southern Cross Wildlife Care is unique in that we have a qualified & highly experienced veterinary surgeon, Dr Howard Ralph, who is dedicated to wildlife and has extensive experience with all species and injuries including burns.

Everyone at Southern Cross Wildlife Care volunteers their time and works hard to help each and every individual patient that comes to us. We all travel many hours to get to and from the centre and work very long hours (very often well past midnight). The work is difficult, emotional and physically exhausting. But we do it and will continue to do it because we all feel a deep compassion for the animals and want to provide the best possible veterinary care and management for them so they can be safely returned to the wild.

Why are we Special?

 

Southern Cross Wildlife Care  was founded by our veterinary surgeon, Dr. Howard Ralph OAM.  Dr Ralph has dedicated most of his life towards the care of Australian native wildlife.

It was established for the purpose of treating and caring for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife.

Both Dr Ralph has a strong passion to help  our long-suffering and often misunderstood wildlife. He became acutely aware that a wildlife care centre was a must if wildlife were to be afforded the treatment and rehabilitation that they were so desperately needing.

Dr Ralph is supported by qualified veterinary nurses and other volunteers. However, we regularly need more help – click here for volunteer info.

Wildlife carers come from far and wide as Southern Cross Wildlife Care is often their last hope. No creature is ever turned away, even the most seemingly ‘hopeless’ of cases.  Because of the skill & dedication of our team, we have a high success rate for our patients.

Our workload never diminishes as the injuries and accidents wildlife incur are ever present.

Why is Southern Cross Wildlife Care so special?

— Our Story

Dr Howard Ralph - OAM

Recognition for Service to Humanity awarded to Dr Ralph.

— How does SCWC raise its funds?

SCWC is a not-for-profit registered charity and therefore relies on the kindness of others for donations.

Sadly, our patient list is expanding and we receive no government funding or assistance. All of us feel very strongly about  declining wildlife. We are committed to assisting each and every creature that comes through the door.

All donations in Australia are tax deductible. Please go to our Donate page for details.

— Where is the SCWC Centre?

Southern Cross Wildlife Care has its major centre in the NSW Southern Tablelands  (about 1 hours drive from Canberra) and a smaller centre in Sydney. Our veterinary surgeon and nurses divide their time between the two centres so that we can reach as many animals as possible.

Such a service requires great commitment and devotion which highlights just how compassionate and dedicated the team are.

Unfortunately, each year our costs for medical equipment, medicines, oxygen, power, maintenance, food, cages etc. increases.

Without your help we cannot continue to treat the many thousands of animals that we attend to each year.

 

Each and every life, no matter what species, no matter what size, is important to us.

Will you help us continue our life-saving work for native animals and make a donation today?

If you need to get in touch with us, please contact us via
Please be patient if we can’t get back to you as soon as you’d like.