The Chronicle

Improvisation

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Find out how Tiggywinkles got started

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Since opening our doors over 100,000 patients have received treatment at The Wildlife Hospital Trust. This remarkable number of patients has included hedgehogs, badgers, rabbits, deer, wild birds, snakes, toads, in fact virtually all species of British Wildlife.

We deal with over 70,000 calls each year

All British wild animal casualties brought to the hospital are treated completely free of  charge and are released through a controlled programme, back to the wild, when they are fully fit. No sick, injured or orphaned wild creature is ever turned away. Every casualty is given a chance, we do not have a 'put down policy', euthanasia is only ever applied as a last resort. Any animal or bird unable to be released is maintained at the Hospital, or at our Field Centre, in as natural conditions as possible.

The Trust also deals with over 70,000 telephone calls each year through our help line, giving help and advice to veterinary units, rehabilitators and the general public worldwide.

There is of course a nucleus of full-time staff working in both the office and animal section of the hospital, but these are supported by an army of volunteers who regularly turn in to do the animal husbandry and rescue casualties among other duties.

The medical treatment is carried out by a team of  qualified veterinary nurses and specialist consultant veterinary surgeons. This enables us to give our patients ground breaking treatment and the best of care

The hospital has pioneered much of the treatment now used for wildlife throughout the country. It's expertise on all species and its knowledge is used worldwide. It has perfected techniques for hedgehogs, badgers, deer and other species and is now seen as a role model for veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators all over the world. Its aim is to disseminate any information learned and through books, papers, courses and lectures to veterinary schools, the experiences of Hospital staff are helping many of the  millions of casualties across the world, most of which are now being looked after thanks to the positive attitude of Tiggywinkles.

“We must never stand still but keep on learning”

The Trust has also founded and administers the European Wildlife Rehabilitation Association whereby over two hundred autonomous groups work to a Code of Practice and at present they provide care for over 50,000 casualties in a network of rescue centres across Europe.

St. Tiggywinkles survives on a solid base of membership and relies on donations from corporate sponsors and the general public to thrive. It receives no state funding of any kind and no financial assistance from other animal welfare or  conservation groups.

Every wild animal and bird is different so the Trust's policy is never to stand still but to keep on learning and to never, ever turn a British wildlife casualty away.