Spent this weekend over at Vale Wildlife Rescue on a 2 day wildlife rehabilitation course.

Was a really good course covering:

An outline of some of the legislation governing British wildlife & its rehabilitation.
An overview of Zoonotic risks
Capture, handling & transportation of injured wildlife
Initial assessment of a wildlife casualty
Nursing care
Examining wildlife casualties (practical session)
Rearing orphans
Feeding & nutrition
Administering fluids (practical session covering subcutaneous fluid administration and gavage.

Caroline and Martin who run the centre and hospital (fabulous facilities) have over 26 years experience in handling, treating, feeding and rehabilitating injured wild animals, and are keen to share their knowledge with others.

Obviously we couldn't do the practicals on live wildlife as that would be too stressful, so it was deceased cases that were used and it was really useful as we were given the corpse which they had already established a reason for death or PTS for and we had to work out what it was - Shag, Buzzard, Coot, Tawny Owl, Bullfinch.

Would really recommend the course to anyone interested in helping save wildlife from home or who wants to or already volunteers at a rescue and wants to learn more.

Got a tour of the centre and also got to meet Ozzy the skunk who appeared on Autumn Watch and his friend, both of who are being rehomed together this week (but not to me).

That sounds great. I might look into that as I would be interested just in learning more even if it is never put to use. Thanks for the links and really glad you had such a good time/

Sounds like a great opertunity if you live quite close to the place

Sounds really interesting

Looks really interesting, shame it's so far away as I'ld like to do something that would extend my job prospects in the area of animal care.

As its a weekend course there is always the option of staying over some where as there are a couple of Travel Inn type places within a few miles of the Hospital as well as several B&Bs - Caroline is happy to provide details of those they know people use.

Course currently costs £95 for non Vale members, £75 for Vale members; Vale membership costs £15 so you can save a £5 by becoming a member http://www.vwr.org.uk/member.html

That makes it sound very interesting. Thanks for the info Mandy.

If any of you do decide to do the course come and visit while you are there, we are only about half an hour away.

(09-02-10 08:31 PM)wilbur Wrote:  If any of you do decide to do the course come and visit while you are there, we are only about half an hour away.

Are you going to do bed and breakfast Mary?

(10-02-10 11:06 AM)Trish_1967 Wrote:  

(09-02-10 08:31 PM)wilbur Wrote:  If any of you do decide to do the course come and visit while you are there, we are only about half an hour away.

Are you going to do bed and breakfast Mary?

Don't know about B&B but I make a decent cup of coffee, well it is instant actually but it is hot. Could manage tea too if preferred and maybe a biscuit.