Would love to help raise/look after/release british wild animals

posie · #11 (**permalink**) 17-11-2009, 10:20 AM

Thankyou for replying to my complaint.No further comment.. I REST MY CASE ! ! ! Posie

connerlake · #12 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 09:05 PM

Its a recession, does ANYONE really have the money to pay for a course so that you can help out? i cant believe people charge you so you can help THEM out, unreal. conner.

wildliferescuer · #13 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 09:15 PM

We, & other centres which run courses, don't do it to allow people to help us, we do it to teach others how to help wildlife in the hope that more people will take up wildlife rescue & rehabilitation.

posie · #14 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 09:29 PM

This is a quote...but I agree with it...
'' The only way you can be successful at caring for wildlife, is to learn how to do it before you are let loose on some poor unfortunate animals/birds. An untrained 'helper' is actually an encumberance, tolerated for the purpose of training him/her.''

wildliferescuer · #15 (**permalink**) 21-11-2009, 09:33 PM

That was NOT said by me. I had no training for the work I do. When I first started there were no places to go to be trained, I wish there had been. I had to learn as I went along.
These days, people can get some training before taking on any injured animals & this is obviously the best way to go.
Volunteers who come to us do not have to be trained before they start.

cara pace · #16 (**permalink**) 29-05-2010, 09:11 AM

Hello Connerlake,

Sorry, I missed this when it was posted originally so I hope no-one minds me resurrecting it.

Have you managed to find a course? Have you thought of volunteering for a local sanctuary? This is the perfect time of year to do it! There are so many worthy places in desperate need of help. I too, have had great difficulty finding a course in my area (Manchester), but I have been rehabilitating wildlife for quite a few years now. I also work at a vets, where I am able to get support and advice on tap. (This website has been great too, there are so many people on here with such a wealth of knowledge and they are always so willing to help).
My loyalties will always lie with wildlife. You just can't beat it! But there are so many highs and lows. In the last couple of weeks I have taken in 11 birds, all of which were brought into the vets where I work.
Some points worth considering before embarking on such a venture - I do not get paid to do this, and I have to take unpaid time off work to look after the cases which need extra care.
People often ask me WHY?!
The best way I can explain it, is with an example.....I was brought 2 swifts a couple of weeks ago. They were near deaths door, having been locked in a house for a few days. They were so bad, nobody thought they'd survive the night. 5 days later, the 1st Swift was ready to go. He flew so well, but his friend could not fly and it did not look likely that she ever would fully recover. Over the next week, we had regular exercise sessions and flying lessons and I was so proud to release her yesterday. It makes all the lack of sleep, worry and expense so worth while. Who needs money eh! Best of luck!