NFP Launches Wildlife Rescue Donor App

Not for Profit wildlife rescue organisation, WIRES has launched a mobile phone app that will allow users to report a native animal in need of rescue and help boost the organisation’s donor base.

The Not for Profit says the app has been developed by Sydney-based company GiveEasy in response to the growing demand on Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Services (WIRES) to help tens of thousands of native animals annually.

“WIRES is one of the organisations on the ground 365 days a year rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing native wildlife in NSW. We have the licence to do this across the majority of the state and the demands on our rescue service are growing rapidly,” Kyla Shelley, WIRES Marketing and Fundraising Manager said.

“In the past 10 years, WIRES has seen an increase in calls of over 400 per cent and our donations have certainly not increased at that same rate. WIRES is currently managing over 100,000 incoming calls annually and helped rescue more than 68,000 animals in the last financial year.

“It’s necessary for us to find low-cost, creative ways to help improve our service and increase efficiency.

“Only 2 per cent of operational funds come from Federal and State grants with 98 per cent coming from public donations.

“By downloading and using this app, people will be helping us spend more time arranging care for animals, and less time gathering data. This ultimately means we can service the need of animals faster," Shelley said.

“WIRES provides an important service to the community, rescuing tens of thousands of native animals each year. By developing this app, we have made it easier for people to help native animals at any time of the day, any day of the year,” Jeremy Tobias, CEO of Give Easy, said.

The App features include:

? Report a rescue form;

? Instant photo upload function to help WIRES identify an animal in need;

? Access to urgent rescue advice;

? Make calls to report rescues outside of NSW;

? Make a donation on the go.

Shelley said the latest research shows that more than 70 per cent of Australians own a smartphone or tablet device and rarely leave these devices out of hand.  

“As a nation, our use and preference for smartphones and tablet devices will continue to grow. WIRES will turn 30 years old next year and it’s important that we move with the times,” Shelley said.

“Developing this app is one of the ways WIRES will help the community to service the needs of native animals into the future.”

The WIRES app can be downloaded for free at the App Store  for iPhone and iPad or from Google Play for android devices.