New parents know all about sleep deprivation and four-hourly feeding — but imagine repeating that thousands of times.

For Michele Phillips, 60, feeding her "babies" around the clock has become a way of life.

Over 20 years, she has rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 20,000 injured and orphaned native animals in Melbourne's east — and she's never been busier.

Her Oakleigh home has become a wildlife sanctuary in the suburbs, and her unpaid duties never end.

The warmest winter on record has encouraged early breeding and right now Michele is taking in basketfuls of baby possums, responding to rescue requests at all hours.

"I am inundated," she says.

"I really need more foster carers to help because I've run out of space. My house looks like a zoo."

Michele has painful arthritis and survives on a disability pension. Her fingers are gnarled and her nails are stained with the dirt of constant physical work, but she has a gentle, confident ability to handle tiny creatures.

"It's an amazing feeling, having the trust of a wild animal," she says.

Her fridge is nearly empty. Most of her money is spent on food for the animals and petrol for the car she uses to attend emergency calls.

"I didn't really think," she says, when asked how it all started.

"I just couldn't walk past an injured bird, so I started with a cage on my outdoor table.

Michele Phillips' Oakleigh home has become a wildlife sanctuary, and her unpaid duties never end. ( ABC News: Geoff Kemp )

"Now I have animals in every room in my home, except my bedroom."

Her champions include academics, vets and councillors who say her tireless efforts, and wisdom gained from years of experience, deserve greater recognition and financial support.

'It's complete dedication'

Monash University lecturer Dr Tui McKeown describes Michele's role in her community as the epitome of humble leadership.

"She's actually sustaining the kind of experience people go to the zoo for, right here in the heart of Melbourne, and she has no idea what a gift it is to everyone," Dr McKeown says.

Michele is taking in basketfuls of baby possums, responding to rescue requests at all hours. ( ABC News: Cathy Jacobs )

"This is not a hobby, it's her whole life and she is absolutely trapped by it," she says.

"We see the passion and the commitment, but this is above and beyond — it's complete dedication."

Dr McKeown now uses her research expertise to compile annual reports on the number and types of rescues Michele carries out each year across six local council regions of Melbourne.

Michele wants to use the data to support her applications for grants, and her campaign for cat curfews.

The data shows a correlation between councils with a cat curfew policy and lower numbers of wildlife injuries in their municipalities.

Michele says cat attacks are responsible for 95 per cent of the injuries she treats.

"Cats get injured, too, when they roam at night," Michele says.

"They get into fights, they get run over on roads. Responsible cat owners should keep them locked up at night."

Her local council, Monash, does not have a curfew policy. But she has been working alongside Greens councillor Joshua Fergeus to encourage greater awareness about the issue.

"Michele is a voice for those who don't have a voice in our suburbs, our native wildlife. And that is of tremendous value, " Cllr Fergeus says.

"It's important that really passionate members of the community like Michele continue to let us know what they want to see happen in their neighbourhoods, because that's how we always achieve change."

Educating children to look after wildlife

Oakleigh vet Dr David Northeast has been using Michele's services for 18 years. ( ABC News: Geoff Kemp )

Many vets in the area call on Michele to look after injured wildlife because they do not have the time or the expertise.

Oakleigh vet Dr David Northeast has been using Michele's services for 18 years.

"We have all these native animals around and they can get knocked by cars and injured by dogs and cats and things like that," he says.

"If there weren't people like Michele they would be euthanised and not given a chance.

"She can be up 24/7 looking after them. It's just a big job."

Michele also finds time to educate school children about preserving wildlife in our cities.

She's been trained by the Country Fire Authority, and as the bushfire season looms she is once again ready to go to the rescue when required.

Michele says she will keep going as long as her health allows.

"Australia has amazing wildlife. We need to look after it," she says.