The British Wildlife Rescue Centre was set up as an extension of ‘Stafford Wild Bird and Animal Rescue’. It consists of a hospital with veterinary cover, a pool for the rehabilitation of water birds, spacious aviaries and enclosures and housing for reptiles.
The centre cares for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife which is often brought in to us by members of the public and the RSPCA.
Occasionally, we take in unwanted/mistreated pets from the RSPCA and because of this we have animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and sometimes gerbils and ferrets for re-homing.
For information about re-homing, you can call in to the rescue centre or telephone 01889 271308 for information. Alternatively, you can adopt your favourite animal at the centre.
The animals that come to us are rehabilitated for release back into the wild. However, some of the animals cannot be released into the wild due to the nature of their injury or imprinting. In these cases, they are given permanent homes with us at the centre where they live as full lives as possible in spacious enclosures with natural surroundings.
The permanent residents are cared for at the centre by a small team of permanent staff and volunteers who nurture them and give them lots of tender loving care. These animals then provide a valuable resource in educational talks and lectures to school children and other groups.
We rely on entrance fees, donations and animal adoptions to keep the centre open and to feed and house the animals. It is people like you that allow us to make a difference.
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Meet the boss...
Alf Hardy has dedicated the last 14 years of his life to the centre. With many years experience working with animals and a deep passion for wildlife, he has made the centre what it is today.
Over the years he has become a valued expert on wildlife in the surrounding areas and is often called upon by schools and other community groups for his vast knowledge of animals and animal care.
News
Shark Tank Dive
14/08/2008
Rebecca Thompson loves animals so much that she has bravely decided to do a sponsored shark tank dive at the Blue Planet Aquarium to raise money for The Centre. Rebecca will be diving with Europes largest collection of sharks including; 10 feet long sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks and nurse sharks as well as 1500 other fish. If you would like to sponsor her click here to donate.
Penkridge Goodies Donation
16/07/2008
We have recently received a generous donation of £500 from a group called the ‘Penkridge Goodies’. The Goodies raise money by many diverse means during the year and it is divided up to give to local charitable groups annually. This money has been earmarked for the fund for resurfacing the paths at the centre to make them disabled-friendly.
Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year
26/05/2008
Our very own Michaela Hancock has been nominated for an award in the 'Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year' category. See the article in the sentinel.
Snowdon Fundraiser
17/05/2008
We're back! We climbed to the summit of Mount Snowdon, as we promised, and we are now collecting the sponsor money.
The team who took on the challenge are as follows:
James Byatt, Steven Tams, Nicholas Roughton and Michaela Hancock.
Well done to the walkers, their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored someone or gave a donation to this cause. All of the money raised through this event will go towards purchasing new 'disabled-friendly' pathways at the centre.
Donation
11/05/2008
We would like to say a big thank you to Amicus for yet another generous donation! They have given us a much needed £100 which will be used to help maintain the centre and care for the animals.
Centre Re-opening
19/01/2008
We have re-opened today after being closed due to improvements to the centre. The pool area is looking good and the ducks seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. The avairies have been rebuilt but there is some work still to be done before the animals can be moved into their new homes.
Improvements to the Centre
28/12/2007
We are currently undergoing improvements at the Centre after an unexpected and very generous donation. Work rebuilding seven of our avairies will begin today and work rebuilding the pool area has already begun. Unfortunately, we are closed to the public until this work has been completed, however, we are still receiving animal casualties. We are sorry for any inconvienience this may cause.
Animal Bedding
23/11/2007
We would like to extend our thanks to PC World Stoke who supply us with shredded paper to use as animal bedding and have been for the last 2 years or so. Using shredded paper as bedding means that the animals at the centre have warm and comfortable beds and that we are spending less money on straw. The money that we save can then be put to good use around the centre.
Donation from Amicus
11/11/2007
We have received yet another fantastic donation of £100 from Amicus. We would like to thank Amicus for their generosity. It is because of generous donations like this that we can continue our work caring for sick , injured and orphaned wildlife.
Fundraisng for free
02/10/2007
Your internet searches can earn money for the rescue centre if you use thebritishwildliferescuecentre.easysearch.org.uk instead of your usual search engine. Each search you do through this link can earn the rescue centre 1 penny. When you think about how many searches you do in a week, those pennies soon add up to pounds.
Fundraising
24/09/2007
We have found a new way to raise money for the rescue centre at no extra cost to our supporters. When you shop online simply use this link click here to buy stuff from more than 400 brand-name retailers including; Amazon, NEXT, M&S, John Lewis, Debenhams, HMV, The Body Shop, Vodafone, DELL, Woolworths, PLAY.com, Interflora and Comet amongst many others...
By doing this we will receive upto 15% of whatever you spend and it wont cost you a penny extra. Do your Christams shopping in this way and you could help lots of sick, injured and orphaned animals and birds.
Sponsored Walk (Knypersley Pool)
16/09/2007
Today we had our annual walk at Knypersley Pool, Greenway Bank Country Park. This year we took some of our resident animals with us, which proved to be a big success. Although we did not have as many people doing the sponsored walk as we would have hoped, we would like to thank everyone who made the effort to get sponsors and come along today. We would also like to thank everyone who put a donation in one of our collection boxes or purchased something from our stall. Every penny counts!
We would like to say a special thank you to Dave Turner from the Ranger's Station, who has put a great deal of effort into helping us advertise our Sponsored Walk and to highlight the work that the rescue centre does. All of this has helped us raise money which will go towards the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
Wet weather
23/08/2007
The wet weather that we have been having recently has affected the normal activites of all animal species. This has caused an astonishing amount of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife to be brought into the centre.
The food chain has been devastated affecting all flora and fauna, both big and small. Not only has it been difficult for animals to find food, but their homes have also become flooded, resulting in the loss of many animals and birds.
A few inches of water on the road can be very confusing to birds. From the air the water can appear to be deeper than it actually is thus resulting in an injury when a bird attempts to land on a 'stream' or a 'pond'.
The breeding season has also been thrown out of normal pattern. The early hot weather has prompted early mating and nesting, then the rain has affected the ability of the parents to feed the young.
Donation from Dixons
15/08/2007
We would like to thank Dixons Stores Group International for giving us yet another very generous donation of £350. This money is greatly appreciated and will be used to help us build a new pool for the waterfowl rehabilitation area. As you can probably imagine, it costs a great deal every year to maintain the centre. It is because of generosity like this that the centre is able to care for so many animals each year. Both the staff, and the animals are very greatful!
Flooding
25/06/2007
Due to extremely heavy rainfall, the brook running alongside the rescue centre has overflowed and flooded the animal enclosures. Luckily, staff were able to move all of the animals to the safety of the animal hospital until the floods subsided. Unfortunately, however, this has meant that the centre has had to close for several days. We are sorry for any inconvienience this may have caused.
New Snake House
16/06/2007
Our new snake house is now open thanks to; Stuart Dawson Derry, Ade and Shane Hunter and Brian Wilding, who all assisted in the construction. Well done to rescue centre staff Michelle, Wendy and Dawn who formulated the ideas and the plans. We currently have 10 snakes in the new snake house, come along to the centre and see them in their new home.
Animal Hospital
01/06/2007
We are currently experiencing a high volume of patients in the animal hospital. Dozens of baby animals and birds are being brough into the centre every week by members of the public and the RSPCA.
Snake City
20/05/2007
Work is currently in progress to build a new home for the snakes at the centre. The building of the new snake house is well under way. It is hoped that the new snake house will make it easier for the visitors to the centre to see the snakes. Watch out for the opening of this new attraction.
New Resident
18/05/2007
We will be getting a new resident at the centre in the near future. A rescue centre in the south of England is unfortunately closing and all of their animals are being found new homes. A badger which cannot be released into the wild because it is imprinted (tame) is to be transferred to the British Wildlife Rescue Centre as soon as provisions can be made. Urgent work is therefore in progress to re-instate the badger 'sett' at the centre. The arrival of this new permanent resident will be a great opportunity for visitors to the centre to be able to see Britain's largest carnivore and member of the Weasel family. The badger is nocturnal but we are hoping that once settled in, our newest resident will be seen during the day.
Sponsored Pet Walk update
14/05/2007
The sponsored pet walk that took place at Cannock Chase on 22nd April 2007 has so far raised over £400, and there is still money to be collected.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in this event and we would especially like to thank all of the animals involved.
Donation From Amicus
01/05/2007
We have received another fantastic donation of £100 from Amicus. We would like to thank Amicus for their generosity. This money will be put to good use around the centre.
Sponsored Pet Walk
22/04/2007
So far the sponsored pet walk has raised a fantastic £400, and there is still more money to be collected. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the pet walk and the organization of this event.
Animals that need re-homing
14/01/2007
We currently have ferrets and rabbits that desperately need homes. If you think that you can love and care for one of these animals call in at the centre or ring us on 01889 271308 to see about taking one home with you.
Sponsored Walk News
14/11/2006
On September 3rd 2006, we held a very successful sponsored walk at Knypersley Pool. We had quite a good turnout with around 30 people participating in the walk and several dogs joining in too. So far we have raised approximately £600 and the money is still coming in. Thank you to everyone who participated in the walk and to those who sponsored a walker.
Donation From Dixons
13/10/2006
This is the second donation that we have received in less than a week. We would like to thank Dixons Stores Group International for giving us a very generous donation of £350. This money is greatly appreciated will be used to help the animals at the centre. As you can probably imagine, it costs a great deal every year to feed and house all of the animals that come into the centre. It is because of generosity like this that the centre is able to care for so many animals each year. This money will be put to good use at the centre. Both the staff, and the animals are very greatful!
Donation From Amicus
07/10/2006
As this is the busiest year the centre has had since it first opened, all donations that we receive are greatfully excepted. We would like to thank Amicus for their generous donation of £100. This money will be used to help us continue our work at the centre; it is through donations and entrance fees that the rescue centre can remain open to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
Leg Wax Fundraiser
22/07/2006
Our sponsored leg wax raised a fantastic £195.85 which has been put towards our security system fund. For more details and to see photos of the event visit michaela's corner.
Shooting
18/07/2006
On the morning of Tuesday the 18th of June 2006, 'Bear', one of our beloved ferrets, was found shot in his enclosure. He had been shot by vicious thugs who had broken into the centre. Thankfully, he survived! He had a very successful operation on Wednesday 19th July and we are pleased to say that his recovery is going well. If anyone has any information regarding the person(s) responsible for this incident, please could they contact the centre on 01889 271308 or the Police on 08453302010. Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of this nature to happen at the centre. Approximately 2 years ago, there was a break-in at the centre which resulted in the shooting and mutilation of more than 30 birds. This kind of behaviour is appalling! We will soon have our security system in place and hopefully it will stop anything like this happening again.
Fox Viewing Window
01/07/2006
We now have a brand new viewing window in place in our fox enclosure. This means that you can see the foxes up close at any time of the day, all year round. Come along to the centre and see what our resident foxes, Saffy and Alfie, are up to.
