O.N.A.R.R. is a community-based programme run entirely by volunteers. It operates under a Rehabilitation permit issued by Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service.

O.N.A.R.R. came into existence during the 1980’s, to look after Flying Foxes. From that base, we have grown to be an organisation that caters for the needs of many Australian native creatures.  There are seven separate Registers: Flying Foxes and Insectivorous Bats, Gliders, Possums, Macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), Birds, Other Fauna, and Reptiles.  Each register has one or more Register Heads. Our register heads are the people you call when you need to register an animal or are after some advice about a particular species.  They are also usually the people who will contact you to see if you are ready to take on the responsibility of caring.

There is a lot more to raising and releasing wildlife than sticking bottles in mouths and leaving doors open.
Raising native creatures can be time consuming (on average a baby brush tail possum needs 6 to 9 months in care, kangaroos and wallabies need even longer!).  Some species are very quick to raise, ie bandicoots.   They are often in care only for a couple of months. 

The costs incurred in raising an animal are borne by the carer.  Where we can, ONARR offers support, but you need to be prepared to purchase the items necessary to raise an animal correctly, to ensure that on release it is a viable animal.  This includes in most cases the purchase of an aviary.  Foodstuffs like forage can be collected from gardens, including your own and your neighbours (if they are willing).  Forage taken from roadsides should be washed thoroughly before being offered.  Beware of areas where spraying takes place. The milk that we use comes in powder form, and can usually be purchased from ONARR, vets and pet shops. There will always be other small purchases along the way as well. 

Not all of the animals that come into care are babies – we also take on injured older animals.  Although we do not expect an inexperienced carer to handle an injured older wild animal, the time may come when you are asked to.  There may be times when you are asked to go out on a rescue.  Again you will not always be expected to keep the animal you are rescuing, but your help will be appreciated.  You may do a rescue on a really cute little baby, and want to keep it, but that also is not the way ONARR works.  The needs of the animal come first – if you do not have the experience to raise the animal, you will be asked to hand it on to a more experienced carer.  Ringtail possum babies need to be in colonies, as do gliders.  Both of these species when they come into care are ‘sorted’ into colonies, depending on who currently has some the same size.  You will eventually be able to raise them yourself, but it is best to start with a creature that you will have greater success with – better for you and the baby!