Join the Fight: Volunteers Needed for New Wildlife Rescue Network in North Wales

A new partnership between RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and UK Wildlife Transporters is calling on dedicated volunteers in Wrexham to join their ranks and help save injured and orphaned animals. The initiative aims to strengthen the rescue network across the North West and Midlands, ensuring that wildlife casualties receive rapid veterinary treatment and specialist rehabilitation.

Organisers are particularly keen to recruit people in Wrexham, alongside Chester and Oswestry, to fill gaps in the current transport network. This scheme assists members of the public who may find injured wildlife but lack the equipment or expertise to move the animals themselves. Volunteers play a crucial role in ferrying species ranging from bats and fox cubs to gulls and birds of prey to the Stapeley Grange centre in Cheshire, approved veterinary practices, or approved wildlife rehabilitators operating under the Wildlife Care Badge scheme.

According to RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre Manager Lee Stewart, the scheme will also help tackle the rise in the number of unsuitable and unapproved facilities attempting to rehabilitate injured wildlife. This partnership is a significant step forward for wildlife rescue across the region, as it enables injured wildlife to reach appropriate care more quickly and safely. By working together with UK Wildlife Transporters and wildlife-friendly veterinary practices, the partnership reduces the number of animals entering these backyard projects and provides a stronger, more visible wildlife rescue network that ultimately reduces animal suffering.

The partnership also seeks to build a wider network of wildlife-friendly vet practices to improve triage and support. UK Wildlife Transporters, a non-profit launched in 2020, helped nearly 800 animals last year alone, with hedgehogs and garden birds among the most frequent passengers. Now, organisers of the new initiative want to recruit volunteer wildlife transporters living in areas such as Chester, Oswestry, Wrexham, Stoke, and Macclesfield.

To become a volunteer wildlife transporter, individuals will need to have their own transport and be prepared to purchase a couple of animal carriers. Lee added that the work done so far with UK Wildlife Transporters has meant they have been able to save the lives of many more wild animals. There are areas where they have a concentration of volunteers and others where their numbers are low, so they would really like to recruit more volunteers in the Chester/Wrexham/Oswestry area as well as Stoke and Macclesfield.

For those who are passionate about wildlife and want to make a difference, this is an excellent opportunity to get involved. The RSPCA and UK Wildlife Transporters have been working tirelessly to protect and care for injured and orphaned animals, and with the help of more volunteers, they can continue to provide essential services to those in need. Whether it's transporting animals to safety, providing care and rehabilitation, or simply spreading awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation, every bit counts.

In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving wildlife. From climate change to habitat destruction, the challenges faced by wildlife are numerous and complex. However, with the help of dedicated volunteers and organisations like the RSPCA and UK Wildlife Transporters, we can work towards creating a safer, more sustainable environment for all animals. By joining the new wildlife rescue network, individuals can be part of a larger movement that is committed to protecting and preserving wildlife for future generations.