Brent Lodge appeals for donations as first influx of spring wildlife casualties arrives

A Sidlesham charity has appealed for donations to help it nurse the animals in its care back to health.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Spring has arrived at Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital with the first influx of young or orphaned wildlife casualties – including a litter of four abandoned fox cubs, six baby rabbits and two tawny owlets.

Fundraising manager Asha Park said many of the young animals will need hand-feeding with specialised food up to four times a day, and sometimes at night for the really young babies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is just the beginning of the hospital’s busy season, and it anticipates admitting more than 1,500 seasonal casualties over the next few months.

Tawny owlets, a fox cub and baby rabbits in the care of Brent LodgeTawny owlets, a fox cub and baby rabbits in the care of Brent Lodge
Tawny owlets, a fox cub and baby rabbits in the care of Brent Lodge

Asha said: “It is likely we are going to face another busy baby season without volunteers due to ongoing restrictions of coronavirus, so it is essential that we are well-prepared for the months ahead.

“This will mean an increase in staff hours to provide the around-the-clock care and feeds, ordering in specialised food and purchasing or servicing essential equipment.

“With longer days and many more mouths to feeds, we will be desperate for tinned cat or dog food and other essential hospital cleaning supplies such as washing up liquid, washing powder, antibacterial spray, heavy duty black bags and sponges or cloths.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Brent Lodge’s shops are still closed which means the charity’s funds have been depleted while animal care costs, food bills and medical costs continue to rise.

The charity is also fundraising for the final £5,000 needed to purchase a fully-equipped animal ambulance and is planning to mark its 50th anniversary.

Asha said: “This year marks 50 years since our founder, Dennis Fenter, first took in his first patient at Brent Lodge.

“We have big plans to mark the special anniversary and acknowledge those who have supported us along the way by fundraising and constructing a new anniversary building in Dennis’s memory.”

For more information visit www.brentlodge.org

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Related topics: