WA Police have allegedly found hundreds of animals, some injured and in very poor condition, at a disused property in Perth’s Swan Valley, run by a volunteer animal rescue group.
Key points:
- Police were called to an unused property allegedly being used as an unofficial animal rescue facility
- About 200 animals were found, some in very poor condition
- Wildlife officers and volunteer carers have stepped in to care for the animals
In a statement, the police said they were called to the Henley Brook house by “a court bailiff who had been tasked with evicting squatters from a disused house.”
“The property was being used to run an unauthorised rescue centre for a wide variety of domestic and native wildlife,” WA Police said.
“Hundreds of animals were being kept in disgusting conditions, many of which were injured and dying, dehydrated and emaciated.
“The house was also in a very bad condition, covered in animal faeces, with rodents and cockroaches everywhere.”
The ABC understands the property was being used by Express Wildlife Rescue, operated by Andrea Marzi.
Ms Marzi was contacted for comment but was unavailable.
WA Police said, “a woman in her 50s was arrested and interviewed by police. Her firearm, licence and ammunition were seized. The woman was released pending further investigation.”
Animal carers step in
According to the police, wildlife officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) attended and coordinated with a number of other approved animal rescue organisations to rehome, treat and, in some cases, euthanise the animals.
Dean Arthurell from Chittering Wildlife Carers was one of the volunteers called to help and told Nadia Mitsopoulos on ABC Radio Perth the scene was “pretty disturbing”.
“I did a walk through the house and there was lots of faecal matter in bedrooms. There were animals in the house,” Mr Arthurell said.
“There were goats in the front room of the house. It was obvious which room was being utilised for Joey care, given the sheer volume of faecal matter on the floor.
He said there was a large variety of livestock as well as native wildlife and birds on the property and that he estimated there were about 200 animals on the property.
“We took about 20 parrots of quite a few different species,” Mr Arthurell said.
“And they were distributed amongst our members for immediate care and they will then get forwarded on to and placed at permanent homes going forward.”
All carers of sick or injured native animals must be authorised and licensed by DBCA to rehabilitate fauna.
Rescue organisations face challenges
Mr Arthurell said it was important people checked a rescue organisation’s credentials before contacting them if they found animals in need of help.
“If they’re domestic animals, your local vet can always assist,” he said.
Mr Arthurell also said more assistance was needed for approved volunteer wildlife carers.
“The system doesn’t provide for these animals,” he said.
“There’s no funding to any of our groups from the government. We have to fundraise ourselves. We care for these animals in our own time on our own properties.
“We’re very heavily regulated by DBCA, but we’re not assisted by them in any way, shape or form.”
Mr Arthurell was also critical of rule changes brought in last year by DBCA that prevent animal rescue charities from using animals in their care for education purposes.
“Overnight that sent us to the wall in terms of our capacity to attend shows with animals and do education with the general public, and that was our number one fundraising and income source.”
“It’s becoming harder and harder for volunteer wildlife groups to generate an income to do what we do.”
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