By Mikayla van Loon
It has been revealed a devastating fire that destroyed a house last week in Monbulk was the home of Wild Paws’ wildlife rescuer Nell Pedzik.
Sadly, a number of rescued, orphaned and injured animals and Nell’s pets perished in the fierce blaze which completely destroyed the home.
Friend and fellow animal rescuer Leah Folloni said the fire had fully taken hold by the time Nell got out as she continued to try and enter to save the animals inside.
“She desperately tried so hard to re-enter the building multiple times and save the animals but she was overwhelmed by the smoke and flames and was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation,” Leah said.
While Nell recovers from the trauma of the fire, the Hills community and other wildlife rescue shelters have been rallying behind her setting up a GoFundMe, with the aim of raising $100,000.
“The money is being raised purely for Nell, for her to rebuild her life and to do what she needs to do when she is ready to make any decisions.”
Leah said Nell is so distraught from being unable to save her beloved animals that she’s unsure whether she will continue to be a wildlife rescuer.
“What Nell has endured is incomprehensible. No amount of money can erase what has happened, nor can it bring back those who she has lost, but with some financial aid we can help Nell move forward,” the fundraising page reads.
The 29 year old started the not-for-profit when she finished university nine years ago and has rescued and released countless native Australian animals every year since.
Many of those were orphans who Nell nursed after their mums were hit by cars, shot or attacked by other domestic and feral animals, leaving the babies unable to survive without appropriate care.
Nell dedicated her time to feeding, collecting natural food supplies, cleaning, administering medication and going out on rescues, all while still working in another day job to support the not-for-profit.
“This is a huge and devastating loss, there is already a shortage of skilled wildlife rescuers compared to the animals needing help,” Leah said.
“Being a wildlife carer takes a huge emotional, financial and physical toll on the individual doing it and it takes a very special person to be able to take this on.”
The CFA have confirmed investigators attended the scene and said the cause of the fire is still to be undetermined.
It is understood the blaze started underneath the main bedroom around 4.20am on Thursday 23 September and is likely to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Leah now hopes people will help Nell get back on her feet by donating funds towards rebuilding her home.
“Nell gives her heart and soul to helping others and to try and make the world a nicer place, for this to happen to her is so tragic that I can’t even put it into words,” she said.
“She was 24/7 out rescuing, raising and helping any animal in need and I really hope people can get behind her and help in her time of need.”
To donate to the fundraiser go directly to the GoFundMe here, https://bit.ly/3idZP34
