Local Wildlife Rescues (how to help them)
The best way to help is to know how to prevent the reasons for most casualties.
- Avoid ‘rescuing’ creatures that have parents nearby, also read about safe havens for garden birds and how to stop birds flying into windows.
- Don’t drop litter (including car windows) and use a personal ashtray and Monomaster (to store fishing line until you find a recycling bin). Obey the voluntary ban on lead shot (which kills wildfowl).
- In the garden, store rotary washing lines and football nets away, when not in use. Practice no-dig gardening and use non-toxic humane slug/snail deterrents and fruit protection bags (over netting).
- Ensure wildlife ponds have sloping sides (and again are free from netting) and water bowls have shallow sides (add a small plank or stones, as bee/butterfly platforms). Cover pools when not in use, and use FrogLog and Critter Skimmer to help creatures escape.
- Check under sheds/outbuildings/compost bins before moving/demolition (especially near end of hibernation). Read building/planning info to help owls and bats. Town planners can also help by not planting flowers in railings (deer can get their heads stuck).
- Keep to speed limits, be alert at dawn/dusk, use full beam at night (dipped lights are best in fog, rain or snow, or else light could reflect back and startle). Keep your car in good condition. Read more on making roads safer for wildlife.
Who to Call (when wildlife needs help)
Keep a large box with punched holes in your car boot with towels (no tassels) and thick gloves. Call wildlife rescues and rehabilitators (vets can also take in casualties, you don’t have to pay). For creatures needing specialist advice:
- Tiggywinkles or Wildlife Aid (all creatures).
- British Hedgehog Preservation Society
- Bat Conservation Society
- Raptor Rescue (for birds of prey)
- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
- British Marine Life Rescue
- London wildlife rescue help
For injured deer and badgers, also call the RSPCA and police (trained marksmen can humanely shoot suffering creatures, if there is a long wait). Don’t move creatures yourself, most are strong and could run off with injuries. Instead, cover with a blanket and keep quiet, until help arrives.
Simple Tips to Help Wildlife Rescue Shelters
- Offer practical skills (from volunteering to transport).
- Some welcome old newspapers (not glossy magazines) for lining cages and temporary bedding.
- Some accept leftover medical supplies (not expired/opened) like bandages, new syringes and disposable gloves.
- Donate anonymously through Charities Aid Foundation, add Gift Aid if you’re a UK taxpayer).
- easyfundraising is another option (just sign up, then shops and services donate a portion of profits from each sale, to your chosen cause). Loyalty points are not affected.
- Donate books: How to Hold Animals or rescue manuals: Practical Wildlife Care and Wildlife Search & Rescue.
- Donate an Armor Hand Protector (created by a vet, after an angry patient bit her! You can wash these to prevent infection with a microfibre filter.
