BRENT LODGE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
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NEW
BUILDING
01/09/2023
Our Patient Admissions Building is now complete with just the electrics to connect up. We, unfortunately, ran into some unexpected delays, but we are hopeful for the building to be open by October. This will make a huge difference to the early treatment and assessment of patients arriving in our care. We look forward to having it in use very soon and benefiting wildlife casualties. The building is being cladded in cedar and douglas fir panels donated by a local family, and will have PV solar panels, a sedum roof, and air-sourced heating to reduce the impact of our rapidly rising energy costs. We are especially grateful for the generous financial support of grants and recent legacy donors who remembered us in their Wills to help us fund this project.
RED LIST
RESCUE
30/08/2023
This Black-tailed godwit came to us at the beginning of the month after being found with wounds to his neck and chest (thought to be from a predator). A huge thank you to Arun Veterinary Clinic for providing initial care in quarantine. He was then transferred to us for ongoing rehabilitation. These stunning birds are listed as Near Threatened on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species so we are really pleased to say that his recovery went well and has now been released to RSPB Pagham Harbour to join others. Thank you to all involved.
STRIMMER
INJURIES ON THE RISE
30/08/2023
Strimmer and garden equipment injuries are on the rise. In the month of May we treated over 25 hedgehogs suspected to be injured by strimmers. Sadly, we were only able to save 4 of them so far. If you really must use a strimmer, CHECK for animals first like hedgehogs, then proceed with caution. PLEASE take care, and check all areas where you think hedgehogs or other wildlife are likely to be sleeping BEFORE you start to use hazardous equipment such as strimmers, shears and mowers. They cause horrific injuries which can be fatal.
BIRD
FLU
21/08/2023
Despite the lifting of Avian Influenza restrictions in our area, we must still remain vigilant. We are slowly admitting birds again but we ask finders to please call if they have a bird casualty before bringing them onto our site. Avian Influenza (bird flu) is a nasty disease, if a patient was suffering from the disease and it spread to the rest of thee birds in our care it would be devastating. Please do not bring birds onto our site unless advised, instead call if you have a bird casualty and we will do our best to assist you or redirect you to your vet. We ARE NOT able to admit some water fowl including gulls or ducks. These are considered on a case by case situation.
FOXES
GO FREE
20/08/2023
Our juvenile fox cubs are looking so beautiful and healthy. We have now started releasing them back to suitable locations. A huge thank you to the volunteers from HSBC in Chichester for making new enrichment areas for our fox enclosures. They have made a huge difference to their rehabilitation.
NESTING
SEASON
01/02/2023
The NEST-essities During UK’s nesting season
The UK is approaching the nesting season, which is the period when birds and other animals tend to nest. This is a time that studies show that many species of birds are not just nesting but raising their young. It's illegal to cut down trees during this time of year or disturb the nesting birds. It’s essential to plan ahead if you intend on cutting down a tree during this time frame; failure to do so could result in inadvertently damaging or disturbing nests and eggs.
Check out our latest blog from Rosie Buckley with tips and advice.
NEW
CHARITY NAME
01/09/2022
To continue to provide effective care and treatment for sick or injured patients we need to secure the future of our Charity. We have out-grown our small charity origins and constitution (Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Trust Charity no. 276179). Having reviewed the options available the Trustees agreed to merge all our Charity's assets to a new CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). Our aim is that there would be little to no impact for staff and Charity associates, including our valued supporters. In summary, the proposed conversion to a CIO would mean a new charity number and a minor name change from Brent Lodge Bird & Wildlife Trust to become known officially as Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital. We value your support.
50th
ANNIVERSARY
01/01/2021
We want to wish all of our lovely supporters a Happy 50th Anniversary. We have come a long way from when Dennis set up a humble wildlife hospital to take care of a tiny sparrow. We hope you will join us this year as we celebrate our achievements, acknowledge those who have helped us along the way and of course pay tribute to Dennis. Coronavirus will no doubt restrict our plans so we will need your help to make 2021 a year to remember!
HOSPITAL
SPACE
With thanks to The Beryl Evetts and Robert Luff Animal Welfare Trust and The Robert Clutterbuck Charitable Trust for their very generous donations towards our hospital upgrades project. We still have a few more upgrades to make but the hospital is now more space efficient for us to safely house the increasing number of patients we now treat. The improved space is also proving valuable for our staff as they continue to function and work at a safe distance from each other throughout the remainder of the pandemic.
POLLUTION
IS A KILLER
We are seeing a disturbing increase in sea and water bird casualties suffering from pollution-related injuries. It is distressing to see needless suffering caused by discarded fishing hooks, line entanglement, PPE, and poisonings from plastics and oil spills. Some recent bird admissions have had terrible injuries from discarded fishing line or fishing hooks through their feet and were dying a cruel death from starvation or infection. Despite our best efforts most do not recover.
A LIFE OF
COMPASSION
It is with great sadness and respect that we pay tribute to the passing of Dennis Fenter MBE, our Founder. Dennis passed away peacefully in his sleep in July 2019. We are all incredibly proud of his work and achievements helping injured wildlife and will build on his legacy to ensure that his passion and dedication to wildlife welfare continues into the future. 2021 will be a special anniversary year to celebrate his work and 50 years of wildlife care. We aim to raise funds for a new patient admissions and quarantine building to be named in Dennis' honour.
01/05/2020
2021 - A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY YEAR TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR FOUNDER