Craven Wildlife Rescue started out with a group of people looking after animals in their spare bedrooms, sheds and conservatories. We had all taken animals to rescues in the past, sometimes traveling long distances, sometimes ending up coming home with them (and instructions) as the rescues were just too full. We gradually found each other and started sharing the few resources we had, along with our growing experience and understanding, becoming a hub based rescue. We realised we would need fewer resources and spend less time chasing between houses in Settle, Langcliffe and Horton finding things we needed if we were able to find a place to work together. We tried a few places, finding we had expanded out of them quickly, before settling (for now) in our current setting in Horton in Ribblesdale.
We now have training programmes for our volunteers, cages for all sorts of animals and birds, an inside space, outside sheds and cages. Our microscopes (for ananlysing poo samples) are no longer balanced on the arms of sofas, we have a designated area. Our families no longer complain of hedgehog spines in their clothes from using home washing machines! The rescue has a fully functioning laundrette as well as freezers for raptor food, microwaves for heat pads and banks of different sized cages to accomodate all comers.
We became a registered charity, we have a wonderful board of trustees as well as our animal care volunteers and transport volunteers. We link with Yorkshire Hedgehogs, Yorkshire Swan Rescue and the RSPCA. We have mentors from many areas of animal rescue as well as good support from our local vets, receiving wildlife from vets in Leeds, Skipton and Cumbria as well as closer to home in Settle. In addition to all volunteers attending our in house training programme lots of our animal care volunteers also attend courses at Secret World Wildife Hospital, Vale and the National Birds of Prey Centre.
It's an ongoing journey driven by passion as everyone here is a volunteer. We are very grateful for the support we receive.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of wildlife rehabilitation is the inspiring stories that come out of these rescue efforts, we'll tell you more about them.. From a tiny bird with a broken wing learning to fly again, to a family of rabbits being syringe fed and rewilded, each animal rescue story serves as a reminder of the resilience and beauty of the natural world.
Rehabilitation techniques are often a combination of medical care, behavioral training, and lots of TLC. Whether it's hand-feeding a baby hedgehog until it's old enough to forage on its own, or creating a safe space for injured barn owls to recuperate, every animal receives individualised care tailored to its specific needs. Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of wildlife rehabilitation centres, no-one in the organisation receives payment. From cleaning enclosures and preparing food, to providing enrichment activities and monitoring the progress of recovering animals, volunteers are the backbone of our organisation.
Through this website and social media, we aim to share these heartwarming animal rescue stories, educate the public about the importance of conservation efforts, and provide a platform for those interested in getting involved. By showcasing the incredible work being done to protect and rehabilitate wildlife, we hope to inspire others. So, whether you're a wildlife enthusiast looking to learn more about animal rescue and rehabilitation, or someone searching for ways to make a positive impact on the environment, we hope you will enjoy exploring the stories and initiatives we will be showing you here. Together, we can all play a part in ensuring a brighter future for the incredible creatures we share our planet with.
Comments