Hare in the care of Brent Lodge captures hearts of staff and the community

The hare was admitted by a couple last Friday (August 20) after being found on the road near Winchester, at risk of being hit by passing cars.

On arrival at the hospital he was incredibly weak, dehydrated and underweight, so staff immediately referred him to AlphaPet Veterinary Clinic, who managed to get him through the first few hours.

He is now one of hundreds of wildlife casualties in the care of Brent Lodge.

Asha Park, supporter relations and fundraising manager, said: “It has been a real privilege to treat this stunning hare. He is still very underweight and weak, but he is improving slowly and eating well.

“He has also started to ‘box’ and bite the staff when they clean him out or administer his medication.

“These natural behaviours are big improvements and certainly a good sign – slow progress but progress all the same.

“Sadly, like most wild animals, hares can become stressed very easily in an unnatural setting and do not always cope well in a captive environment.

“The staff try not to become too attached to our patients, but we are smitten.

“We are keeping everything crossed for a full recovery.

“It will be an incredible achievement to see him released to his natural habitat once he is fully fit and healthy.”

The charity is hosting a virtual open weekend over the bank holiday weekend (August 28-30) and it has also entered this year’s My Giving Circle grant awards.

Each year My Giving Circle gives away grants to charities, not-for-profits and community groups, and Brent Lodge is hoping to be one of the 40 lucky organisations to receive a share of £25,000 this time around.

Over the bank holiday weekend, from August 28-30, My Giving Circle is giving voters the opportunity to double their votes.

Voters can also donate to the charity on its cause page to boost the charity’s chances, with two votes added for every pound donated this weekend only.

Asha said: “Due to the restrictions imposed as a result of coronavirus we are still unable to safely take on our normal network of volunteer support.

“Staff are working had to ensure the patients in our care receive the same level of treatment but with significantly fewer hands to help.

“Cancelled or restricted fundraising activities are impacting the charity as coronavirus continues to have an ongoing effect to the way we function.

“Please visit our website for ways to help, or vote for our cause on My Giving Circle.

“To receive a grant from My Giving Circle will make a huge difference to our charity and help us continue to provide care and rehabilitation wildlife like this hare.”

To vote for Brent Lodge visit mygivingcircle.org/charity/brent-lodge-wildlife-hospital or go to www.brentlodge.org to find out more.

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.