Mapperley residents often seek advice when they discover an injured or poorly animal. There are several steps you should follow to give it the best chance and stay safe yourself. Here’s what to do, plus some local contacts in Nottinghamshire.
What to do immediately
1. Assess the situation from a distance
Is the animal obviously injured (e.g. bleeding, broken limb, unable to move)? Is it safe for you to approach (traffic, other animals, your own safety)? Sometimes what looks like injury is temporary and the animal recovers if left alone. Give it some time to see if it improves.
2. Keep the animal calm and contained (if safe and possible)
Use gloves or a towel to reduce risk to yourself and to reduce stress to the animal.
Place small animals or birds in a well-ventilated box or pet carrier with a towel or soft lining to prevent further injury.
Keep it somewhere quiet, warm, and dark. Do not try to feed or give water unless advised by a professional.
3. Contact help
Call the RSPCA (in England and Wales) on 0300 1234 999 when a wild animal is sick, injured or in danger.
Contact a vet, especially if the injury is serious or life-threatening. Some vets are “wildlife-friendly” and able to take in animals.
Use local wildlife rescue centres or rehabilitators.
4. Transport if advised
If you are told to bring the animal to a vet or rescue, carefully transport it in the box/carrier. Secure it so it doesn’t slide around. Keep it covered to reduce stress.
Only do this if you are confident you won’t injure the animal or yourself. If it’s large or dangerous (deer, birds of prey, etc.), professionals are usually better placed to handle it.
5. Safety & Hygiene
Always wear gloves when handling an injured wild animal.
Wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Be mindful of disease risk (for both human and animal).
Who to contact in Nottingham / Nottinghamshire
Local Organisations or services you can reach out to:
RSPCA – Nottingham & Notts – For emergencies, cruelty or animals in distress: 0300 1234 999. General enquiries: 0115 784 1110.
Feline and Wildlife Rescue Nottingham. They take in British wildlife, but are volunteer run, so help might not always be available. Email for wildlife: wildlife@fawrescue.co.uk
Cedar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kirkby-in-Ashfield) – Phone: 01623 460181 (also 07792 475736) for wildlife emergencies.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust – They do advice but not general wildlife rehabilitation or rescue. – Main office: 0115 958 8242.
Brinsley Animal Rescue – Animal Rescue Centre in Brinsley – Telephone – 01773 712 999 – Email General: info@brinsleyanimalrescue.org – Email Cats: cats@brinsleyanimalrescue.org
Burrowed Hearts Animal Rescue – Based in Breaston, Derbyshire – Email: burrowedheartsrescue@outlook.com
Billy’s Hucknall Wildlife and Exotic Rescue
Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary – Tel: 07780742748
Hedgehogs – British Hedgehog Preservation Society – Tel: 01584 890801
Foxes
The Fox Rescuers is a charity which specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation and subsequent release of foxes. It offers an advice line for the Nottingham area – Tel: 07572270432
The Fox Rescuers is a charity which specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation and subsequent release of foxes. It offers an advice line for the Nottingham area.
Tel: 07572270432