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News Killing Kangaroos, Australia's Icon These are the horrific facts of what is occurring in Australia every night. It is the graphic, horrendous reality of the demise of the kangaroos. Our government has blood on their hands and the mongrels who kill our beloved kangaroos will most assuredly go to hell for their crime against the innocents. Read More Here Debate: Kangaroo culling in Australia In many parts of Australia, the government has been implementing a policies in which kangaroo populations are culled (killed) to stop them from over-populating, damaging Australia's ecosystem and causing a host of other problems. In recent years protests over these government programs has become particularly acute... Read More Here Oppose the Shooters Bill Join us in a show of public support to protect our national parks from hunting and stop the threat of private game reserves. Read More Here Kangaroos may hold key to preventing Skin Cancer We know they are special creatures and now science is finding out as well Read More Here New political party, Animal Justice Party The time has come for animals to have a voice in the political arena. Read More Here Wallaby Plant Closed One of Tasmania's smaller meatworks is shutting down and laying off worker Read More Here Kangaroos killing fields Land north of Caloundra could be killing fields of the near future Read More Here

I am a lecturer and author specialising in the field of macropod husbandry, rehabilitation, and the clinical signs and treatment of disease. Although I have reared many Australian fauna species, my forte is predominantly with macropods, as they were the most commonly presented to my private wildlife hospital, which I maintained between the years of 1989 to 2003.

I began caring for injured/orphaned/sick native fauna in 1986 and have continued my interest over the past 25 years.

Professor Rick Speare was my mentor throughout this period and it was his original work on macropod disease that induced me to begin compiling my own findings. I am particularly interested in the nutritional requirements of macropods, as the ratio of fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins change throughout their development.

In 2000, I relocated and began donating more of my time to educating carer groups with my four-day lectures, completing a lecture tour of six Australian States in 2001-2002.

In 2002 I was sponsored to speak at the Macropod Conference in Ohio, U.S.A. Whilst in the United States, I was invited to work in an Australian themed wildlife park in Kentucky. I was able to carry out this request during 2003-2004; where I had a very fulfilling working relationship with the local veterinarian.

My responsibilities included designing and erecting new exhibits, creating a veterinary facility for our animals in need of treatment, educating the animal keepers, designing appropriate diets for the 300 odd animals species, researching information for and creating the Animal Keepers' training manual.
To date I have conducted 76 lectures to wildlife carer groups, zoos, veterinarians and wildlife park keepers throughout all the Australian states.

My old manual Don't Step Backwards is used in nine countries throughout the world.

My new manual The Complete Guide to The Care of Macropods is now available and is currently used in nineteen countries, including 31 of the States of America . This publication contains 456 pages with over 700 coloured photographs and includes new information not before published. An extensive section assists veterinarians to deal with many conditions contracted by macropods, and I have included captive care.

Facilities using my macropod husbandry include zoos, macropod keepers, universities and veterinary clinics. It has received reviews by both the German and American Association of Zookeepers, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and Wildlife Australia. This work is referred to as the macropod carer's 'bible' throughout the world, as it is the only one of its type.
I have been available for advice to macropod keepers on the on-line yahoo wallaby group for the past 10 years.

I am available for assistance via e-mail or telephone on 07-49551904.

Kangaroo carer Janine Fitch has used the unique environment of Central Australia in which she lives, to inspire her artistic talent creating cards, bookmarks and wine hangers. Janine's love of animals and her surrounds is depicted in her handcrafts, which make excellent gifts. Dingos, camels, kookaburras, kangaroos, goannas and emus are just some of the animals printed on the cards and bookmarks from acrylic and watercolour paintings. The wine hangers are made of wood, have vibrant colours and patterns and are coated in a gloss resin. They are light weight which makes them Ideal for overseas gifts!

Check out these truly inspirational Aussie works of art at: http://www.janinefitchdesigns.com

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