Tiny but Wild
Dear you,
Alongside our artwork, as of January 2024, we are Tiny but Wild, a licensed DEECA* wildlife shelter based, like our studio, in our home in North Fitzroy, Melbourne / Naarm.
After being foster carers for RSPCA Victoria (2017–2021), and Grey-headed flying-fox carers for Bat Rescue Bayside (2020–2023), and as current Wildlife Victoria rescuers and carers (2021–onwards), this next step perhaps seemed written-in-the-leaves inevitable.
To try to make change for the better, we care for Grey-headed flying foxes and ringtails, for the main, assorted microbats, and other surprises, like Bingo, the Dusky antechinus, and Peanut, the Bush rat, along the way; all wild and glorious creatures we can care for in our tiny setup with a view to release.
Yours, ever with an eye and ear on alert,
Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison
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* Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
What we do
Though seasons vary, in the 2023–2024 Grey-headed flying fox pup season (commencing September and extending all the way through to April), we looked after 54 Grey-headed flying foxes at Tiny but Wild.
This included orphaned pups and several adults recovering from injuries sustained from either entanglement (fruit tree netting and barbed wire), entrapment (caught on a balcony), or collision (clipped by a vehicle).
Typically, pup season is our busiest time of year, when we raise orphaned Grey-headed flying foxes in readiness for crèche and soft-release.
Support
𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼
Tiny but Wild
𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𖡼
Support 𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼 Tiny but Wild 𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊𖡼
Images: Tiny but Wild, 2023–2025
Make a donation
Tiny but Wild is not a registered charity so we cannot offer tax deductible receipts, but any donations to Tiny but Wild will go directly towards rehabilitating the wildlife in our care.
All wildlife care work is voluntary, so any help is immensely appreciated.
Donate via Bank Transfer (EFT)
Tiny but Wild
Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison
BSB 313140
Account number 12480524
Alternatively, wing us an email.
Soft release ringtails
In addition to looking after the many animals in our care throughout the year, and inspired by working with South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter, as part of Tiny but Wild, we operate a soft release program for the ringtail possums in our care. Working with both private land owners and the Koala Clancy Foundation, we have been operating our Ringtail soft release program since 2022.
We care for the ringtail joeys for roughly six months, raising them from around 80 grams until they are 600+ grams ready. Working this way, we have the means to raise a minimum of two groups of four ringtail orphans per year.
The Koala Clancy Foundation plants trees for koalas on farms and private land, creates new habitat and advocates for better protection of wild koalas. Koala Clancy Foundation is an independent registered charity and not for profit organisation.
Every tree they plant is future habitat to save the koalas, and future habitat for ‘our’ ringies too.
On Marginalia, you can read about our animals in care and follow their journey from rescue and rehabilitation to release.
Recently ‘Tiny’, now gloriously ‘Wild’
It is a wonderful feeling to return wildlife to their home.
In doing so, we tap into an awareness that our way of reckoning is not the only way, as we marvel at the broad and rich intelligence of other species. They are forward moving, they are action, and we feel hopeful as we step back.
For more Tiny but Wild ‘tails’, follow along to learn more of what we do for the environment, and what we can all do, because hope, hope is an action.
Images: Tiny but Wild, 2023–2025
Together, the two of us, Gracia & Louise, are Tiny but Wild.
WILDLIFE SHELTER IN NORTH FITZROY, MELBOURNE / NAARM
Contact
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GRACIA HABY & LOUSE JENNISON: 041 21 444 72
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WILDLIFE VICTORIA: (03) 8400 7300
(Report a Wildlife Emergency)
WIRES: 1300 094 737
(Report a Wildlife Rescue)
WARRIORS 4 WILDLIFE: 1300 352 923
The best way you can help an injured animal is to call for professional help. Big or small, any bat alone during the day needs help.
Please note: you need to be a qualified, vaccinated carer to handle bats.
Copyright © 2000–2025 Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison. All rights reserved.
Accessibility statement
Site built and polished by Gracia & Louise.
NET ZERO WEBSITE
Hand-coloured lithographs by Fanny Anne Charsley from
The wildflowers around Melbourne series, 1867,
We are visitors living on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
We are visitors living on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
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