This is a second Crowdfunder to raise funds for GW Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. The first round raised £300 but a further £1,500 is required.
Here is some background to the project and what funding will be used for:
For several years I have rescued and rehabilitated various wildlife, including dozens of bats, but I was always limited by space until I moved to Denholm where I had outbuildings that gave more spacious accommodation. Since moving to Denholm I have become quite well known locally as the person to contact about wildlife in trouble and my local vet practice use me as their rehabber to look after wildlife they have treated. However since The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 came in I have been limited to under 8 rescues at any one time. To enable me to look after 8 or more rescues I need to become registered as an Animal Welfare Establishment with my local authority but this costs money.
It does not take much to go over 7 rescues so I have taken the decision to upgrade my facilities to be able to both benefit rescued wildlife and to allow me to register as an Animal Welfare Establishment. At time of writing I have two Hedgehogs, one bat and two pigeons.
GW Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation is currently funded by income from the educational work of GW Ecology and by donations but this is not enough to allow me to carry out my plans so I have set up this Crowdfunder.
My plan is to purchase a large shed 10ft x 8ft to be erected in garden next to the workshop I currently use. Electricity will be run into shed to allow it to be heated to suitable temperature. The shed will be used to house most rescues, though I do have a small aviary outside and if required I can still use workshop space in an emergency.
These improved facilities will allow me to apply to be registered with Scottish Borders Council as an Animal Welfare Establishment and also to provide better care to the injured wildlife that comes into me.
I have set the funding target for this Crowdfunder at £1,500. The total cost of project is £1,800, with £300 has already been raised, which is enough to get a good quality shed and pay for registering as an Animal Welfare Establishment. Registration costs approximately £900 that includes £294 for registration and £610 for a 3 year licence. However if I raise more than that then it will go towards future running costs including equipment, vet fees and travel to collect and release rescues.
I hope you will support me and the wildlife I care for.
Here are a couple of videos I have made. The first shows two wildlife rescues carried out at my local primary school in the same week and the other is about a Natterer's Bat I had in care for several days.