Yarloop animal rescuers need a hand

Two Yarloop pensioners have been devoting their love, time and savings to care for injured wildlife.

Maurice and Sandra Stonehouse run an in-house rescue and rehabilitation centre and they do it on a completely voluntary basis.

They are committed to giving hurt animals a second chance at life and are passionate about protecting recovered wildlife.

They care for injured kangaroos, emus, owls or any animal that needs somewhere to go, often paying for the animal’s food and medication out of their own pockets.

The couple are long-lost childhood sweethearts.

They met and fell in love at the Rockingham caravan park when they were 10.

They fell out of touch over the years, before reconnecting in 2009.

Mr Stonehouse has been saving animals for almost six decades, saying he was inspired by his father who was an orphan at Fairbridge Farm in Pinjarra.

“He grew up around animals and he taught me a lot,” he said.

Mrs Stonehouse also remembered playing in the swamp as a child and bringing back injured animals to nurse at home.

I use to put planks on my feet as a kid and go and save bobtail lizards from the fires.

However, the pair are struggling to keep up with the financial toll after being inundated with more and more animals each year.

They have overcome some tough times including protecting animals during and after the 2106 Yarloop Waroona bushfires.

They said people could drop off injured wildlife at any vet for no charge and the vet then contacts the nearest wildlife rescue.

Anyone wanting to help out can donate money or pillowcases and towels to Fryers in Harvey.