Our Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation forum is moderated by Caroline Gould, the founder and manager of Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centrein Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, a purpose-built wildlife hospital on a 30-acre site, dealing with between 4 - 5,000 casualties every year. They have the capabilities to deal with any eventuality and the hospital is equipped with full veterinary facilities including x-rays and intensive care. Their aim is to release casualties back into their natural environment as soon as they are fit. Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre is now recognised as one of the leading authorities on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in the UK.https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/list.php?8Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:33:34 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,26708,26708#msg-26708 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,26708,26708#msg-26708 tania ardell Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationWed, 04 Nov 2015 22:47:27 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,25671,25671#msg-25671 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,25671,25671#msg-25671 Gloria Gifford Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationSat, 09 May 2015 09:31:51 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,25426,25426#msg-25426 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,25426,25426#msg-25426 Alan Cramp Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:55:44 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,24043,24043#msg-24043 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,24043,24043#msg-24043
for last three weeks he has been holding up his back right leg, I have given him a small dose of carpodol as thought it might be a sprain but last night he was still holding it up.

Do yo have any ideas of what I should try and do to help him, I have doubled his food in case he has been having trouble getting his own and he can still run around the field

Many thanks]]> megevebear Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationFri, 09 May 2014 11:49:25 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,22386,22386#msg-22386 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,22386,22386#msg-22386
I picked up a big beautiful bird (a Bos Loerie). It's legs seem to be lame as its lying on its side all the time, but when I touch the legs or chest they respond and the muscles work. I got advice on how to treat it for shock from a retired bird "rehabilitator", she said I should give it sugar water, is that ok?

Thanks for the advice
Elmien]]> Elmien le Roux Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationMon, 20 May 2013 13:05:17 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,21086,21086#msg-21086 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,21086,21086#msg-21086
Could anyone tell me if it is ok to feed a whole raw chicken which is about a week out of date to the local foxes.

I was away and unfortunately the chicken was forgotten about and feel bad that chickens life went to waste for nothing! :(]]> Matt Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 07 Aug 2012 16:37:39 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,20836,20836#msg-20836 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,20836,20836#msg-20836I'm willing relocate anywhere in the country (or even abroad) so i can achieve this. It's my dream to work with animals.
I've worked at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals which is a referral practice at the Royal Veterinary College. I've also worked in kennels, big cat rescue centres and the college animal unit which has exotics and domesticated animals.

I have gcse's, as levels, national diploma in animal management and key skills.

I live in bedfordshire, but like i said earlier, i am willing to relocate.
Thank you]]> emma king Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationWed, 25 Apr 2012 20:00:02 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,20186,20186#msg-20186 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,20186,20186#msg-20186
Wildlife rescue said squirrels can't get rabies, and that the only thing to fear is injury from being bitten... but now it's dark and I can't find the poor thing, the guy said squirrels usually hunker down at night and stay hidden.

My question is will a baby squirrel - not an infant, it has a bushy tail already but it seems like it's not big enough to be on its own as it can't successfully climb a tree - hide for the night? I'm hoping it's instinct will make it try to stay hidden, but I'm concerned that since it can't climb it won't be safe. Is there anything more I can do? I'm going to get up at dawn and look in the bush it was in, but I'm afraid a predator might get him... what defense does a baby have alone at night? Will it burrow?

Also, I live in Florida, and the guy said the coyote population is kind of dense around my neighborhood, I'm so scared he will get eaten!

Any and all help is much appreciated!!!]]> Lyndsay Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 11 Oct 2011 00:51:47 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,19154,19154#msg-19154 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,19154,19154#msg-19154 Matthew Morgan Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationMon, 22 Aug 2011 04:23:36 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,19153,19153#msg-19153 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,19153,19153#msg-19153Can anyone advise me on what else to do to help save this important little life? Foods available to him listed below.
Slice of ripe soft mango, chopped and grated apple, uncooked porridge oats, budgie seed, peas, corn, wild bird seed, live mealworms, fresh water. shallow basin of water for bathing. He is residing in a deep-sided container, with a good covering of soft hay on the floor and an area of organic soil in one corner. There are some apple tree branch off-cuts complete with leaves in another corner. Trying to make his confinement as relaxing and as 'normal' as I can.
I think Ive covered everything there!
many thanks in advance if you can help me help my new dependent friend,
Anne]]> AnnieBirdy Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 07 Jun 2011 18:54:58 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,18109,18109#msg-18109 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,18109,18109#msg-18109
I haven't seen him fly today and I wonder if he's either sick or been chomped by a fox and survived but has an injury somewhere. He's still bright eyed but his 'run' is more an animated walk than the usual energetic road-runner effort he normally puts up and I can get as close as six inches before he tries to get away (I've been letting him get away - I don't want to stress him out).

Is there anything I can do to help him? Any advice gratefully received as I am rather fond of my three chaps!!

Thank you

Suzie]]> SQ9 Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 22 Mar 2011 17:56:55 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,17261,17261#msg-17261 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,17261,17261#msg-17261
I decided to gain revelant experience by volunteering with wildlife aid. Here I have developed excellent hands on skills with foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs, birds and many more for nearly a year now.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my volunteer work and have developed a strong desire to become a wildlife assistant full time however I am struggling to find any positions for this except the occasional RSPCA position from which I am always rejected.

I am currently a part time sales assistant in retail and feel as though my Zoology degree is being completely wasted. Do you have any suggestions?

Kind Regards]]> Karra Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 15 Jul 2010 08:52:40 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,17105,17105#msg-17105 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,17105,17105#msg-17105The mother duck was no where to be seen. I ran home as we were not far from home and got a net and a box. I managed to get the ducklings out of the drain with the net and put them in box and bought them home. I phoned a couple of rescue centres but they were not willing to take them as they had 2 many abandoned ducklings and did not have the space. I had a old guinea pig cage and some hay . I cleaned out the cage and put some hay & a shallow bowl of water for then to swim in. Will this be ok for now. Secondly I tried to find some seed to feed them and I could only find mixed wild bird seed. I know you are not meant to feed ducks this. I have removed the sunflower seeds and have grounded it up. Will this be ok until I can get out at weekend to buy some proper duck feed. I have looked after many ducks before but never wild ducks. I have mainly had muscovy ducks in the past. I don't know how old these ducklings are they are still very small and fluffy. Any advice would be much appreciated on how to care for these ducklings

thanks in advance]]> Teddybear Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationWed, 16 Jun 2010 16:01:56 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,16595,16595#msg-16595 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,16595,16595#msg-16595 lucy.orca Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 20 Apr 2010 20:05:16 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,15335,15335#msg-15335 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,15335,15335#msg-15335
I took care of them and now they are fine, healthy and fat ;)

However....I'm concerned about leptospirosis...

If the animals show no symptoms am I safe or could they carry the bacteria with no symptoms?

How "easy" is it to catch leptospirosis? Does handling the pets without open wounds on my hands and then washing them after enough precautions?

Am I being paranoid over here (leptospirosis is 10-100/100 000 in Tropical climates)

If I release the mice in the wild what should I do to ensure their survival? Put them in an open cage in a tree with food? Make a burrow in the ground for them?



Thanks]]> AnonSolutions Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationFri, 11 Dec 2009 07:09:34 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,14194,14194#msg-14194 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,14194,14194#msg-14194 Izzy Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 17 Nov 2009 01:20:28 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,14188,14188#msg-14188 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,14188,14188#msg-14188
[www.rspca-westhatch-wildlifecentre.co.uk]]]> roojai Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 20 Aug 2009 08:57:07 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,13308,13308#msg-13308 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,13308,13308#msg-13308
I have just pulled out 2 jackdaw fledglings from my chimney. Their parents have been nesting in the chimney next to ours. It is 10;30 at night (and I have literally spent the last 4 hours trying to rescue the birds and am absolutely shattered physically and mentally) so it is unappropriate to reintroduce the birds back to their family. Ideally, I intend on returning the birds to their parents asap tomorrow but need to know if the parents will rememer and take them back after being away from them for a night.

I would really appreciate help from anybody that can, I get emotionally involved with things like this and would be very upset if i couldnt return birds to their family...

Much appreciated

Me :)]]> sammo Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 04 Jun 2009 21:42:47 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,13047,13047#msg-13047 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,13047,13047#msg-13047
About a year and a half ago we found a pheasant in our garden with a broken/injured leg. He could still get about so I fed him when he came and he made it through the winter. He's been coming back almost daily ever since for food. The leg healed nicely, although he always has a bit of a limp. We call him Mr Phez :)

Over the last few days though, I noticed he had a cut on his toe (on the injured leg). I saw him yesterday and it looks very swollen, as if there is an abscess there. Before the cut he was very happy and healthy. How likely is he to survive this without treatment? He is still eating but seems very reluctant to put weight on the leg. The thing is, he isn't exactly tame. He is a wild animal and lives in fields. He comes to me for food if he sees me in the garden but will soon run/hop away if I make a move towards him. Do I put him through the stress of catching him next time he comes and ringing the RSPCA or let nature take its course and see what happens? He's in good body condition, nice and plump and seems bright and alert. Would catching him myself and putting saltwater on it help or just cause him more harm? We have a shed he could go in until it heals but would it stress him out to be confined?

Any advice you can offer I would be very greatful. I'd really like to help him because he's managed to survive 2 shooting seasons and a dodgy leg without too much trauma.

Thanks very much

Leanne]]> sillymoo1983 Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationSun, 24 May 2009 12:11:57 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,11971,11971#msg-11971 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,11971,11971#msg-11971I'm an Italian veterinarian. I have graduated since 2007, with distinction. Soon I will move to UK, so I'm looking for a veterinary centre where there is possibility of training in exotic and wild animal medicine. I just have had one year experience with exotic animal. I think I could be useful in any position because I'm a very serious person. I'm glad to give you any other information you need or to send you my CV. References are available on request. I appreciate any advice.
Thanks for your help.
My best regards.
Selene Pirri]]> selene Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationMon, 23 Feb 2009 15:38:40 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,10723,10723#msg-10723 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,10723,10723#msg-10723
I own a house that I have not lived in for some time. The back garden is quite large is very over-grown and has at least one fox living there.
The local council have asked me to clear the garden at the request of a neighbour. I could possibly leave the mound where the entrance to the den is but would need a mechanical digger to clear the rest of the land. Will this disturb them and cause them to leave as I really don't mind them living there and suspect they keep vermin to a minimum.
Thanks in advance,
Darren]]> Darren_StHelens Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 20 Nov 2008 14:27:11 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,9420,9420#msg-9420 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,9420,9420#msg-9420 Cindy Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationSat, 03 Dec 2011 21:23:19 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,9056,9056#msg-9056 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,9056,9056#msg-9056 Victoria Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationWed, 22 Oct 2008 09:35:12 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,8893,8893#msg-8893 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,8893,8893#msg-8893I need help with a very hurt squirrel I found in my front bushes. He has a wound on his back that is swollen with a single hole in the middle. I used a pai of very thick mittens to pick him up and get him into a cage His back legs don't seem to be working very well as he was trying to pull himself along with his front legs. He was covered in flys and maggots. I rinsed him off with cool water and he was using his paws to drink from the hose. I then cleaned the wound the best I could with peroxide. He is shaking when he tried to move but I've been able to calm him down by talking softly to him. I have some unsalted peanuts on the way to feed him but I don't know if thats a good thing or not.

I need any advice I can get on how to help him, what to feed him, anything you can tell me. I am worried about rabies so I have been making sure to only touch him with the heavy mittens and keep a safe distance. I have put a bowl of water in with him also. He is outside in a shady spot with a nice breeze. Please help, I know the local vets won't help since he is a wild animal and animal control will just put him down. I want to make him as comfortable as possible and do anything I can for him.

Thanks for your time,

Jacob]]> rocks Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 09 Jun 2011 17:55:42 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,5178,5178#msg-5178 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,5178,5178#msg-5178
Did we do the right thing? Do you think it will be ok and is it possible to catch lice off the wild rabbit and if so what should i do?

Thanks Natz :)]]> Natz Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 21 Jul 2011 13:41:11 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,5128,5128#msg-5128 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,5128,5128#msg-5128
“Illegal tortoise trade is happening in Britain” (DEFRA, 2004).

An estimated 10 million tortoises were shipped into the UK for the pet trade between 1890 and 1984 before the initial ban was introduced. This trade is back! … and tortoises are being imported in substantial numbers. However, DEFRA are failing to prevent this illegal trade and are in fact licensing it. These tortoises go through untold misery and often arrive here with chronic worm infestations and dehydrated, which far too often contributes to their early demise.

The Tortoise Protection Group (TPG) is campaigning for a ban on the importation of tortoises for the pet trade. Please help us keep tortoises in their natural environment by signing the TPG petition and kindly forward details of the petition to all you contacts.

[www.thepetitionsite.com]

After signing would you kindly pledge your support on our forum:-

[pets.groups.yahoo.com]

If you require any further information, please contact us at:-

contactus@tortoise-protection-group.org.uk

Together we can make a difference, please help.

Kind Regards
Tortoise Protection Group]]> tpgdarren Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationTue, 10 Apr 2007 21:18:34 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4638,4638#msg-4638 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4638,4638#msg-4638 Steve King Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationSat, 01 Aug 2009 20:48:57 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4312,4312#msg-4312 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4312,4312#msg-4312I note that the aim of the Vale hospital is to be able to have an onsite xray facility.
Given that the administration of general anaesthesia and the taking of radiographs are deemed to be acts of veterinary surgery requiring a veterinary surgeon to be present each and every time such procedures are carried out (qualified VNs and lay persons cannot perform these procedures legally without a vet being physically present), how would such an aim be financed?
Also, the holding and use of pentobarbitone (and several other commonly used POM-V drugs) is strictly controlled and euthanasing an animal with such a substance again can only legally be done when authorised by a veterinary surgeon. For this to occur, the animal to be euthanased must be legally under the veterinary surgeon's care.
How does the Vale hospital deal with these sort of issues?
I am aware that a number of wildlife rescue organisations ignore such regulations, but with the likely future licencing of such establishments, these issues need to be addressed and the financial implications need to be worked out.]]> Richard Edwards Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationSat, 18 Nov 2006 17:27:14 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4309,4309#msg-4309 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4309,4309#msg-4309My name is Violaine Colon. I am a French student in the final year of DVM at the University of Liege, Belgium.







I would like to know some informations an veterinary internship (1 year) and if possible paid. If you know some places which offer this type of position.



Thanks a lot in advance for your reply.]]> viobis Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationFri, 09 May 2008 03:04:47 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4276,4276#msg-4276 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?8,4276,4276#msg-4276
I went out to the garden last week in the early evening, and came across a fox hiding in the leaves. He was startled by me, and ran off. Do foxes hibernate in back gardens, and if so, should we leave some food out for him to get through the winter? I live in London.

Ben]]> Ben Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationThu, 05 Nov 2015 19:19:49 +0000