A FRIGHTENING VISITOR
Imagine being ill in hospital while a giant fox paces up and down outside your room.
Suddenly, it comes through the door and approaches your bed. How would you feel?
You would probably be terrified.
Fear and stress can interfere with treatment, slow recovery and, in severe cases, lead to shock.
The fox in this picture looks friendly, but a real wild animal does not understand that humans are trying to help. To the animal, we are frightening giants. Give rescued wildlife the peace, quiet and space it needs to recover.
Peeping Giants!
Imagine trying to recover in bed while a giant badger repeatedly lifts the roof to look at you. You would feel frightened, stressed and unable to rest. Wild animals may tolerate the sound of a human voice, but they do not understand that it is friendly. A wild animal may remain completely still until it sees you, but this does not mean it feels calm—it may be frozen with fear.
The badger in this picture looks friendly, but real wildlife does not understand that we are trying to help. Keep noise and contact to a minimum, and give the animal somewhere quiet, dark and safe to recover.
That is exactly how repeated checking feels to a wild animal. Every time you open its box, its stress levels rise and it uses precious energy that should be helping it recover. Keep the box closed and leave the animal somewhere quiet, dark and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for helping wildlife in need. We understand how much you may care about the animal you have brought to us—and how difficult it can be to wait for news. Please be assured that every patient receives the care, peace and attention it needs.
How can I request an update?
Please wait at least 10 days before requesting an update. This gives our veterinary and rehabilitation teams time to assess the patient properly, begin treatment and allow it to rest.
When emailing us, please include the animal’s patient reference number in the subject line, if you have it.
If you do not have the reference number, please include:
- Your full name
- Your address
- The date you brought the animal to us
- The species, if known
- Where the animal was found
This information will help us locate the correct patient as quickly as possible.
Will I be told that the animal arrived safely?
Yes. Once the animal has been admitted and registered as a patient, we will send you a confirmation email.
If you have not received it, please check your Spam or Junk folder.
Admissions and communications are managed by our dedicated team of reception volunteers. During especially busy periods, there may be a short delay while every patient is safely assessed and admitted to our veterinary hospital. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Can the animal be returned to me for release?
Every release is considered individually, with the animal’s welfare coming first.
Our veterinary and rehabilitation teams agree on a release plan during the patient’s pre-release review. They consider the animal’s health, behaviour, ability to survive independently, original territory, habitat and species-specific needs.
If the animal is suitable for release at your property, we will contact you using the details provided when it was admitted.
Orphaned Wildlife
Young orphaned animals need specialised care to help them develop the skills they would normally learn from their parents.
They progress through species-appropriate rearing and soft-release programmes, allowing them to adjust gradually to life in the wild before becoming fully independent. For this reason, orphaned wildlife is generally not returned to the finder.
Although saying goodbye can be difficult, giving the animal the best possible chance of a successful life in the wild is the greatest kindness.
Adult Wildlife
Whenever it is safe and appropriate, adult animals are returned to their established home territory after completing treatment and rehabilitation and being assessed as fit for release.
Sometimes an animal cannot safely return to the place where it was found. Its injury, individual needs, habitat conditions or other environmental risks may mean that a carefully chosen alternative release site offers it a better chance of survival.
Whatever the final plan, every decision is made with the animal’s welfare and future firmly at heart.