Show your support for Brent Lodge at virtual open weekend

Due to the current restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak the charity is having to continue to care for hundreds of wildlife patients without its normal network of support.

The charity’s reduced team has treated over 2,000 patients this summer, including over 250 water birds, 700 garden bird, 19 fox cubs, 30 birds of prey and 280 hedgehogs.

Asha Park, supporter relations and fundraising manager, said: “We didn’t see the drop in patients over the summer that we thought we were going to see.

“As the summer continues it brings with it more seasonal casualties to treat.

“We only have a relatively small team of staff to run the charity, care for patients and maintain the rehabilitation enclosures, so without our dedicated volunteers, it has been tough.

“We hope to safely invite back our normal volume of volunteers very soon to help us care for wildlife patients.”

The charity is also urging people to seek advice before approaching or touching a wild animal to help determine the best course of action, and to call Brent Lodge on 01243 641672 before taking an animal to the hospital.

Asha said: “Our role is to provide care and rehabilitation to wildlife casualties once they have been pre-assessed by a veterinarian.

“We do not have enough resources to provide an animal rescue service, so without volunteers, we cannot always transport injured animals to our vet straight away.

“We may advise animal finders to take the casualty directly to their nearest available vet if we feel is in the best interest of the animal.”

It costs £350,000 each year to fund Brent Lodge’s wildlife care, and the pandemic continues to have a negative impact across the charity with fundraising activities and events cancelled or postponed.

Asha said: “The funds we raise attending community talks, school visits, local events and host fundraising activities have been lost this year.

“To ensure we keep the hospital functioning and the animal care funded we must explore new ways to keep raising vital funds and awareness.”

Visit www.brentlodge.org to find out more and take part in the wildlife hospital’s Virtual Open Weekend from next Friday (August 28).

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