Blyth Wildlife Rescue Centre full and shut to new animals

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Full wildlife rescue centre shut to new animals

Vets bills take up a large proportion of the charity’s outlay

Blyth Wildlife Charity A fox cub with a large white dressing covering most of its body and around its neck. It is looking directly ahead with pricked ears and standing on a white sheet. — Vets bills take up a large proportion of the charity’s outlay

An animal charity is to close temporarily due to the “overwhelming” number of rescue casualties filling its facilities to capacity.

Blyth Wildlife Rescue, which operates across Tyneside and Northumberland, said its hospital and every enclosure was full, while its team of volunteers was being stretched to its limits.

With costs running at a minimum of £1,500 a month, funds had also reached a “dangerously low level” and it was unable to take on new admissions without compromising the welfare of animals already in its care.

It has launched an appeal for donations in the hope it can reopen to new arrivals as soon as possible.

The charity rescues, treats and rehabilitates animals ranging from deer to puffins.

During busy summer months it can receive up to 50 calls or messages for help a day, including referrals from vets.

Blyth Wildlife Rescue Three young tawney owls. The owlets still have downy feathers and are arranged on a branch inside a cage. The one on the right has a red ring tag on its leg. — Some of the wildlife rescues have to be hand reared before being released back into the wild

Trustee Sharon Davies said: “Our 25 volunteers and one part-time member of staff carry out a staggering amount of work.

“It’s our 20th anniversary year and we were hoping to focus on that, but we’ve run out of funds.

“We’ve got 250 animals and can’t take any more, we have to prioritise those currently in our care.

“Our outgoings far exceed income, which is mainly from donations but also a few grants.

“Vets bills are a large outlay – even though we get a good deal from some of them – but rehabilitation is also costly, with medication, food, equipment, utility bills.”

Appealing for donations, she said: “Anything helps.

“Obviously cash, but even things like towels, old newspapers, tins of food – anything to save us having to buy them ourselves.”

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