``It's hard work sometimes,'' she said of the job she shares with husband Philip, rescuing and raising animals and later releasing the ones that are lucky to survive.

Many of the animals are released on the couple's Oakdale property, Waru, which they share with the animals in their care including an emu called Chook and a tawny frogmouth that was hit by a car.

``Philip and I work closely as a team. He does the rescues and I do the healing side of things,'' she said. ``I'd like to say it's rewarding but it's not overly. And it's certainly not for people who think it's all about nice, cute, cuddly animals because it's not.

``About 80per cent of the animals are euthanased so there's death all the time but I have to think I'm giving these animals a second chance at life and some of them are lucky to take it.

``It's nice to see the animals freed when they can be.''

Mrs Harriman said her previous job as a nurse has helped her become ``resilient''.

But the work took its toll when she started with Sydney Wildlife 12 years ago.

``You go through breakdowns and sometimes you don't want to do the caring any more but as a nurse I had to deal with a lot of people dying of cancer and that helped me be resilient,'' she said.

Sons Steven, 10, Simon, 9, and Brett, 6, have grown up in a house that often resembles a menagerie.

They help Mrs Harriman make wildlife motif jewellery and the profits are donated to Sydney Wildlife to buy food and medicine for the animals.

Mrs Harriman raised about $5000 last year from online sales of the Waru Wildlife jewellery (waruwildlife.com .au) including a charm bracelet with eight iconic Australian animals which was a hit with overseas buyers.

Nominate a volunteer for this column: 46555151 or reporter Iliana Stillitano, istillitano @fairfaxmedia.com.au.