In the last 18 months there have been 27 koalas admitted to the Koala Hospital after dog attacks.

President of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital Sue Ashton said the number of koalas being attacked by dogs is on the rise.

"We can usually tell when a koala has been attacked by a dog because of the injuries they have. We have also noticed we are getting more calls to rescue injured koalas in residential areas which is usually an indication of a dog attack," she said.

"Most dog attacks on koalas occur when they enter a backyard and aren't able to climb out because of high metal fences.

"The dogs are simply protecting their property in most koala attack cases."

The Koala Hospital reports there is a 70 per cent mortality rate following dog attacks.

"Most koalas suffer bites to their rump which can puncture their liver and kidneys and they bleed out. There is also a high rate for infection following a dog attack," Mrs Ashton said.

"Their injuries can be quite horrific when they're brought in."

The Koala Hospital rescues injured koalas 24/7 and said the majority of calls come through during the night.

"Koalas do move around at night and with breeding season approaching, they are getting more active," Mrs Ashton said.

"The best ways for dog owners to help protect koalas is to lock their dogs up at night and, if they do have a high fence with no escape route, put a large branch or ladder against the fence so the koala can get out.

"We also do try and release the koalas that we rescue back in the same area that they came from, this is really important for the species."

Volunteers at the Koala Hospital work hard to ensure the health and safety of local koala populations, but as the region becomes more urbanised, there is a risk the population will be impacted.

"It's important now more than ever that people become more aware of how to protect koalas or we will lose them," Mrs Ashton said.

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