If you’re looking for advice about whether and how to help possibly sick, injured, or at risk wildlife, we have an extensive library of articles which cover all the most common scenarios.
If you’re sure help is needed and you need to find a wildlife rescue in your area, we have a directory of more than 700 wildlife rescues and independent rehabbers which you can search. Visit our directory, put your location in the box, and click search. There’s also an advice article which provides hints and tips on using the search and contacting rescues.
If you can’t find the help you need using the buttons above, our HelpDesk volunteers can provide bespoke help via email. If the HelpDesk is closed or you prefer to speak to someone by telephone, please use the alternative sources of help below.
Saturday | 9:00 - 21:00 |
Sunday | 13:00 - 18:00 |
Monday - Friday | 9:00 - 21:00 |
NB: Our HelpDesk is currently closed. For urgent situations, please use the alternative sources of help below.
Alternative Sources of Help
The following organisations offer telephone helplines where you can seek advice about helping wildlife. You can call them regardless of whether they’re local to you and they will give advice and help you to find a rescue.
- The Wildlife Aid Foundation (all species) – 01372 360404 (09:00 – 21:00)
- St Tiggywinkles (all species) – 01844 292292 (24 hours)
- Three Owls Bird Sanctuary and Reserve (birds only) – 07973 819389
- RSPB wildlife team (birds only) – 01767 693690 (Mon to Fri 09:30-16:30)
- NB: the RSPB DO NOT run wildlife rescues but their wildlife team often assist callers in finding a wildlife rescue using our directory so, if you’re struggling to know what to do, they might be kind enough to help you.
- The Bat Conservation Trust – 0345 1300 228 (Mon to Fri 09:30-16:30 with an out of hours service up until 22:00 April to September)
- British Hedgehog Preservation Society – 01584 890 801 (out of hours emergency help available)
- Mustelid Rescue (stoats and weasels) – 07903 965281 (24 hours)
- Raptor Rescue (birds of prey) – 0870 241 0609
- British Divers Marine Life Rescue (seals, whales, dolphins etc) – 01825 765546 (24 hours)
- UK Wild Otter Trust – 01769 580621 / 07866 462820 / 07759 809667
Please note, we are unable to recommend calling the National RSPCA as their helpline is staffed by contractors working from a script and with minimal knowledge and understanding of wildlife. Calls to their helpline unfortunately often result in incorrect advice.
International Help
If you are outside of the UK, the following sites may be helpful in finding a rescue in other countries
http://irishwildlifematters.ie/rehabilitators/
https://www.nwrawildlife.org/page/Found_Injured_Wildlife
https://ahnow.org/
https://theiwrc.org/international_rehabilitators/