The main activities of WIRES is to respond to individual public reports of sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife.

If necessary, trained WIRES volunteers will rescue (collect) the animal, foster it (provide treatment and care until it is healthy), and release it back into the wild.

WIRES operates under an authority from a government agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, allowing it to rescue and rehabilitate native animals, a practice which is generally forbidden by law in Australia.

WIRES offers a short rescue and immediate care course that equips people to work with common species.

A small group of private citizens formed to take on this responsibility and, by learning from one another, built up the knowledge and experience to meet the unique needs of Australian wildlife.

[6] During the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis in Australia, WIRES had received around $60 million until February[7] in donations from individuals and companies concerned about wild animals.

WIRES' spokesman John Grant mentioned that the organization was not prepared for receiving a huge amount of cash.

Branches perform fundraising to subsidise the costs of animal feed, veterinary supplies, cages, and other expenses incurred by their members.

WIRES Rescue Office operates 365 days a year, managing hundreds of calls a day from the community, working actively with WIRES volunteers and community vets to provide rescue advice and assistance for tens of thousands of native animals every year.

WIRES has the ACNC, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission tick of approval and DGR, deductible gift recipient status.