Save Wildlife

Aim

Help us fund species specific care units and undergo staff training so we can treat wildlife in our care and get them fit for release

ABOUT BRENT LODGE

Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital provides life-saving care and rehabilitation facilities to over 3,500 sick, injured and orphaned UK wildlife patients a year, from across West Sussex and East Hampshire. The welfare of our wildlife patients is our primary concern and our aim is to get them fit and healthy to be responsibly released back into the wild where they belong.

After starting as a small bird hospital in 1971 we now have the onsite facilities and knowledge to expertly care for and rehabilitate over 120 different wildlife species, including many at risk mammals and birds located on the Red List of conservation concern. 

Through our educational outreach work visiting schools, talks to community groups and raising awareness online, we aim to educate the wider public about the dangers faced by wildlife. Pro-actively advising people about the simple things that can be done to help wildlife thrive in their natural habitats. 

We receive no government funding, so we depend on the generosity of our supporters, donors, grant-makers, charity shops fundraising activities and legacies to generate vital income to keep running. It costs us over £20 an hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to fund staff training, food, medication, veterinary care and patient welfare. 

OUR PATIENTS

Wildlife patients are brought to us for a variety of reasons which include cat, dog or predator injuries and the effects of disease, infections and naturally caused casualties. The hospital also goes through seasonal changes throughout the year with orphaned, abandoned or dehydrated wildlife patients admitted in the summer, and underweight or injured hedgehogs needing overwintering treatment later in the year. 

We have no rescue service, so wildlife patients are admitted directly from the public, the RSPCA, or pre-assessed patients from local vets that require ongoing care and rehabilitation. As well as treating patients brought to the hospital, we also handle hundreds of wildlife welfare enquiries via social media, phone calls and emails.

Where possible we try to release rehabilitated wildlife back to where they were found as quickly as possible, as they may hold a territory in the area, or be part of a family group. Releasing wildlife back to the wild not only depends on when the animal is considered fit and healthy for release, but it also depends on the time of year. Our staff are trained to know what release site is most appropriate and sites are carefully chosen to give them the best chance of survival, where there is the opportunity to find a mate, flock, plenty of food, water and suitable nest or den sites. 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND WILDLIFE DECLINE

Climate change is one of the biggest factors impacting nature in the UK. Not only has it increased the chances of outbreaks of new or  stronger strains of disease  for wildlife and humans but it is also affecting our weather patterns and temperatures. The increased demand for our services is stretching and straining our resources and urgently highlights the need for us to expand our facilities and service, so we can continue to provide effective treatment to wildlife in need.  

OUR FUTURE PLANS

Thanks to receiving generous funding we have now constructed a treatment room complete with x-ray and intensive care incubators. With the implementation of an onsite wildlife veterinary nurse and equipment we will be able to perform basic procedures and provide an onsite veterinary diagnosis and treatment service for wildlife casualties. We aim to assist wildlife casualties admitted from the public, RSPCA inspectors, Wildlife Police Officers and Veterinary Clinics. With successful treatment and rehabilitation, we will release hundreds of healthy wild animals back to their natural habitats, increase local biodiversity and ensure local habitats continue to thrive with healthy wildlife.

We are also really pleased to start construction on our fully funded Patient Admission Building and Veterinary Facilities, which is set for completion in spring 2023. Through the use of sustainable materials, low carbon energy sources, and rainwater harvesting we aim for the Admissions Building to be a carbon-neutral building. This building will make a real difference to the early diagnosis over wildlife casualties admitted into our care.

To continue to provide effective care and treatment for these sick or injured patients we will need to keep improving our wildlife care and rehabilitation facilities and undergo staff training, which will require additional future funding. 

Last year, whilst rearing our usual seasonal influx of birds and mammals we identified a need for more species-specific enclosures to aid their transition back to the wild. Some species of birds and mammals are notoriously challenging to hand rear from babies and release successfully. 

During rehabilitation, we house recovering patients in individual care units, which are cleaned every day and patients are given fresh bedding, food and water. Providing patients with improved animal care units will allow extra space for movement which benefits the animals recovering within the. These new units are much more space-efficient and will enable us to accommodate more patients, reducing the need to transport these vulnerable patients to other centres, causing unnecessary stress.

With your support we can improve our species specific animal care units, enclosures and staff training so we can contribute towards the efforts of securing the future of our UK wildlife. Our aim is to get hundreds or wild animals fit and healthy for release and combat the effects of  climate change on wildlife

This project successfully funded on 20th September 2022