How to Use Your Crafting Skills to Help Animals Displaced by Australia's Fires

Roughly 1 billion animals have died since wildfires started burning across Australia at the start of last year's bushfire season. If you're looking for a way to help that goes beyond donating money to rescue groups, consider using your knitting skills for a good cause. As WCNC reports, the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is looking for handmade nests and pouches to provide for displaced wildlife in Australia.

Last spring, the North Carolina-based organization put out a call for knitted nests to hold the rescue chicks in its bird sanctuary. It received a surplus of donations from generous crafters, and in light of the news coming out of Australia, the group plans to ships its extra nests to rescue groups working in the affected areas.

Anyone interested in donating additional crafts to the shipments can help. Australia's Animal Rescue Craft Guild published a guide of knitted and crafted items it's looking for, with medium to extra-large joey pouched, carry bag pouches, and 3D hanging pouches being the most needed. There's also a high need for smaller joey pouches, bird nests, bat wraps, blankets, and possum and bird boxes. The Carolina Waterfowl Rescue published the full guide on its Facebook page.

If you have a craft to contribute and live in the area, you can drop it off with the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue at 5403 Poplin Rd, Indian Trail in North Carolina. The organization is also looking for donors to sponsor the cost of postage, which you can set up by emailing waterfowlrescue@aol.com. For more ways to support the people and animals affected by the Australian wildfires, go here.