On any given day, there might be 25 animals in Tanya O’Donoghue’s backyard, saved from a traffic incident or found sick and needing care. It’s been that way for 30 years. 

After spending years being a part of bigger organisations, Tanya’s urge to do more to help local wildlife led to the establishment of Warrumbungle Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation a year ago. 

With huge demand in the area, the operation is growing, with a triage facility for the wildlife on its way. 

“It will look like a bit of a consultation room,” Ms O’Donoghue said.

"I’ll have an examination table so we can bring in animals in… to dress injuries or burns when we have fires, if they’re covered in ticks, a myriad of things. 

“I assess and stabilise them. If they need veterinary treatments, this is sort of the inbetween before I can take them.”

During the drought, Tanya cared for 35 joeys who had nowhere to go. (Supplied)

While grant money has paid for the erection of the triage shed, Ms O’Donoghue has taken to fundraising to finish the facility’s interior. However the expenses of the organisation are stalling progress, especially during the busy festive season. 

“In the holiday periods, everything escalates,” she said.

“We just get an influx and as it gets closer to the end of the holidays, more and more animals start coming in.”

Between Ms O’Donoghue and the three carers who help her, days are spent feeding joeys and tending to the injured. 

It’s a cause that, despite the huge demand for her work, doesn’t always garner support across the community. 

“Kangaroos polarise people,” she said. 

While her efforts to save predominantly kangaroos is sometimes unpopular around the farming community she calls home, it won’t stop her pursuit. 

“You name it, I’ve been called it…you cannot shake that culture”

“I just focus on the animals.”