Media Release - 16th June 2026
Woolworths and WIRES open Food Support Grants for wildlife carers nationwide.
WIRES and Woolworths are calling on licensed wildlife carers and wildlife rescue groups across Australia to apply for food support grants to assist their vital work rehabilitating and caring for native wildlife.
The Woolworths and WIRES Food Support Grants will provide more than $370,000 in funding for specialised food and formula costs through targeted grant rounds running from June 2026 to June 2027.
The first round of grants opens in June 2026, with additional rounds scheduled throughout the year to help carers respond to changing seasonal demands including severe weather events, breeding seasons, disease outbreaks and surges in orphaned wildlife admissions.
The program helps fund specialised diets, milk formula and nutritional support for a wide range of native animals in care, particularly orphaned and infant wildlife requiring intensive and long-term rehabilitation. Successful grantees are connected with trusted wildlife food suppliers across Australia, with grant funds credited to their supplier of choice.
As the only national program of its kind, grants are assessed based on demonstrated need and the number of native animals currently in care, helping reduce the growing financial pressure faced by wildlife rescue groups and individual carers.
During spring and summer, Australia’s peak wildlife rescue season, the cost of specialised food and formula can escalate rapidly, particularly for carers managing multiple animals simultaneously. Likewise, macropod carers often have more orphaned joeys in care in the winter months, when shorter days increase the number of tragic vehicle strikes.
In 2025, the Food Support Program assisted 269 wildlife groups and individual carers nationally through targeted food and formula support making it easier to access high-quality nutrition for rescued native animals while reducing the financial burden on carers.
The Food Support Grants are funded through the sale of selected Woolworths products and seasonal fundraising campaigns, including Reindeer Carrots, the Wally the Wombat Cake, Spring Plush toys and Garden Ornaments.
The Woolworths and WIRES partnership launched in January 2020 in response to the Black Summer bushfires. Since its inception, the partnership has distributed $3.2 million to support native wildlife and wildlife carers across Australia.
The partnership is built around three key initiatives:
Woolworths' Community Partnership Manager, Simon Tracey and WIRES CEO, Leanne Taylor
Simon Tracey – Community Partnership Manager, Woolworths
“We love seeing how much our customers enjoy products like Wally the Wombat Cake and Reindeer Carrots throughout the year, because we’re able to donate funds from these items directly to fuel vital care for Aussie wildlife. Our long-standing partnership with WIRES is all about delivering practical support, and we hope these grants will provide critical funds to support the dedicated carers working tirelessly to rehabilitate vulnerable native animals.”
Leanne Taylor – CEO, WIRES
“Wildlife carers are facing increasing pressures as rescue numbers continue to rise across the country. This program provides practical and immediate support where it is needed most, helping carers access critical nutrition for animals in care. We are incredibly proud to partner with Woolworths a program that delivers meaningful impact for wildlife and the volunteers caring for them.”
Applications for the June 2026 grant round are now open.
Wildlife carers and organisations can apply here:
Food Support Program Application Form
For questions about the program or application process, contact:
foodforwildlife@wires.org.au