The UK’s wildlife faces more problems today than ever before and unfortunately most of these problems are caused by people. A vast majority of the casualties we treat at Vale have sustained their injuries through coming into contact with humans: road traffic accidents, cat and dog attacks, fence injuries, mower and strimmer incidents, habitat loss, building work, new roads, snares, the list is endless. Some people say that injured wildlife should be left alone, we shouldn’t interfere but should ‘let nature take it’s course’. I would agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment if indeed the problems encountered by our wildlife were ‘natural’ but very few are, and I believe we have a duty to try to put right the damage that we are doing.

Caroline Gould, Charity Founder,

Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre