Latest News
It has taken us some time to go through our records for 2024, but finally we can report on the great work we have achieved in the year. In 2024 we rescued 866 animals, of these 189 wild animals were rehabilitated and successfully released back into the wild, we rehomed 72 pets and 187 farm animals into loving homes, whilst caring for 156 remaining at the sanctuary. In the same period, we had to turn away a staggering 1,541 pets as we can only take in more pets, when space is created by people choosing to rescue, rather than fueling the pet industry, motivated by money. We rehomed 25 cats after blood testing, neutered, vaccinated, health checks etc, yet had to say no to a shocking 598! We neutered, vaccinated and rehomed 45 rabbits yet had to turn away a shocking 255! Leading up to the Covid pandemic, each year we had to turn away on average 500 pets a year, post pandemic this has more than tripled! Nationwide the figures must be truly shocking, please always consider offering a home to a rescued animal, never line the pockets of breeders motivated by greed.
Another net victim! This buzzard was found trapped in goal post netting which had to be cut away to free them. As the netting is relatively thick, thankfully there aren't any laceration's, however there is damage to many flight feathers as well as soft tissue trauma caused by thier attempts to get free. The buzzard is eating, but unable to gather strength to attempt to get off the ground let alone fly, only time will tell if we are able to save this beautiful bird and release back into the wild.
Early in the new year we admitted this young swan after a dog attack, finally today they have recovered well enough to be released. As well as a very nasty bite wound from the dog, internal trauma had caused subcutaneous emphysema. The treatment included a prolonged course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pain relief and topic antibiotics. Today we released into an area with a group of other single swans, in the wild. Its vital that dog walkers keep thier pets under control at all times especially around wildlife, even if a dog cannot catch an animal, it can cause stress, cause animals to abandoned thier babies etc. In fact not keeping a dog under control allowing it to attack wildlife is a criminal offence.
This week the cows had a routine pedicure. This is painless, but stressful for our babies, and to be honest us too as we have to move the cows into the equipment, something they certainly don't want to do. Our thanks go to Holt Contracting Hoof Care Specialist for a great service as ever, treating our boys and girls with care, and thank you UKTH Group Ltd for the huge discount and prompt delivery of the generator.
From the weekend we have mixed news. Sadly the Heron which we rescued from becoming tangled up in garden plastic netting last week has passed, ultimately the stress and trauma proved too much for them. Yesterday though we released on of two kestrels we have in our care, after a few weeks it was time to see them go back into the wild.
The grounded, starving buzzard we admitted in December was released yesterday after a full health assessment and back to thier correct weight. Being a territorial bird, we aim where possible, to release back to thier home territory. This one was found on the side of the A38 and as we had a precise location, we could release in a safe location very close by. After a short rest in a tree, they were off.
Our modern sterilised, plasticised gardens are often a wildlife desert and often a wildlife death trap, all too often we take calls for trapped and injured wildlife caught in garden netting or plastic ornaments as well as horrific injuries inflicted on hedgehogs from bonfires and garden strimmers. Yesterday we rescued a garden victim, we went to the help of this Heron, after they became entangled in pond plastic netting and as a result badly injured in thier fight for freedom. Once in our hospital, the first task was to remove the remains of the plastic netting, in a panic to free themselves, the netting had become very entangled and caused a lot of trauma. We could then clean them up and carry out a thorough examination. As they could hardly stand and the right wing was hanging, we decided to get them straight to our vets to be gassed down and x-rayed. Thankfully the x-ray doesn't show any internal damage or broken bones. Whilst this is positive news, it's a very, very long road to recovery which will take many weeks, there is a lot of soft tissue trauma needing treatment and time to recover, in addition there is a lot of feather damage which needs to repair. Herons are not easy birds to treat and keep in captivity, not least thier very long sharp beaks which we have to avoid, they also get very stressed and often don't feed, if they don't eat, we have to force feed and this can lead to regurgitation and an almost impossible task. As always, we will try our very best and give this Heron the best chances.
A beautiful sky early this morning as we went to check on some of our rescue ponies and cows. This is our largest feild at 12 acres.
Gracie and Jemima. Gracie the calf is blind, she'll find us wherever we are when she wants a fuss which is anytime except when she is eating!
We rarely rescue dogs but decided to rescue and the lovely Dotty, we are now looking for a suitable home for her, someone who is experienced with training dogs and has the time to invest in her. Dotty, an 18 months old bully cross, is really a lovable friendly girl who has come on so much in a foster home, she is now ready for a life-long home she deserves and to continue her development. Dotty has had all of her basic training and has loved learning new skills, she understands touch, focus, and are currently working on recall and scent games. She loves people and other dogs, a little bit too much but we are working on this everyday and she's getting better with containing her excitement. The world is so fun through Dotty's eyes and she really wants to please. She does have separation anxiety but crate training has been going exceptionally well, she is progressing. If you feel you can offer a suitable home or would like more information about her, please get in touch with us directly.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yxyevdgkdo
This young swan has been admitted following a dog attack which has left a deep wound, unfortunately that's not the only challenge they face. As well as a wound which we need to keep clean and treat, the swan has subcutaneous emphysema. Basically there is a rupture in the respiratory system somewhere, allowing air to escape and be trapped under the skin, in some areas creating skin like bubbles. Its not possible to repair the rupture, we can only hope that along with the bite wound, this heals. They are in our heated hospital where we can clean and treat the wounds and administer pain relief, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. They are not in great shape at all, we will remain positive, its certainly going to be a tough one.