CARING for sick and injured wildlife can be a thankless, emotional and confusing task.

Local wildlife carer and educator Linda Dennis has set up an online forum to change that.

It will give information and support for those who have taken on the care of a wild animal.

WildFriends is an online community open to wildlife carers.

Ms Dennis said some other wildlife forums were only open to licensed carers.

“That’s why I created this. There’s just a massive gap. My aim is to reach people who aren’t part of a network and are basically stranded. I want to get out and make sure everybody has the knowledge they need to care for an animal,” she said.

WildFriends has been operating for about three weeks and already has 73 members.

There is a qualified forum vet specialising in wildlife care and people experienced in various aspects of wildlife care to moderate the forum and ensure users have sound information.

Topics discussed on the forum so far have included caring for wombats and possum rescues and releases.

As well as helping people access information about wildlife, the forum aims to give carers somewhere to come together in a non-judgmental community.

“The wildlife community can be a very political place and people don’t say anything because of that. I want people to talk and ask questions and feel safe,” Ms Dennis said.

Ms Dennis hopes the extra support and information will encourage people to continue in their important role as carers.

“There are just too many people out there who struggle and it’s not fair to them or the animals.

“Wildlife care is hugely taxing. It’s very emotional. If they’re not getting the support they need, they leave the wildlife community,” she said.

The forum can be found at http://wildfriends.forumotion.com.