The ACT government has given extra funding to a wildlife charity that was "at breaking point" and unable to reliably staff a 24-hour phone service that receives calls for help.
The Sunday Canberra Times reported in November that ACT Wildlife had started switching off the phone periodically as it struggled with a lack of volunteers and a 570 per cent increase in calls.
ACT Wildlife, which cares for injured, sick and orphaned native animals, is Canberra's only active wildlife rehabilitation organisation.
The number of calls for assistance made directly to the charity or referred by Access Canberra increased from 1408 in 2014 to 9427 last year.
ACT Wildlife president Marg Peachey said last month that despite the rising demand, there had been no increase in funding and the ACT government provided just $6000 per year.
"We're at breaking point," she said in November.
Since then, the ACT government has given the charity $20,000. A government spokesman said it would make the same amount available to ACT Wildlife again in the new year.
"We recognise the important and dedicated work of ACT Wildlife volunteers and will continue to support them to help injured wildlife in the ACT," the spokesman said.
Ms Peachey said ACT Wildlife was very grateful for the funding boost, which would relieve some of the strain on volunteers.
"We'll use it to employ two people to help take care of the phones and transporting animals to vets, carers or wherever else they need to go as a result of the phone calls," she said.
Ms Peachey said ACT Wildlife would also put $20,000 in fundraising money towards the new staff.
