Wildlife rescue centre halts admissions over demand

A voluntary wildlife rescue centre in West Sussex has had to temporarily pause admissions because the requests for care received have outstripped volunteer capacity.

Pete and Gayle Foggon have run Sompting Wildlife Rescue with a team of about 25 volunteers since 2019, taking in wildlife, including small mammals, birds, and birds of prey.

The couple, who both work full-time as veterinary nurses, have made this decision after taking in "a huge increase in new wildlife patients" over recent days.

"Eleven ducklings finished off the admissions in one day. . . which for a small, volunteer-run rescue like ours is a significant number," Pete said.

They care for the wildlife in a "three-by-three metre purpose-built outhouse" constructed at their home, which means they can only take in a few patients at a time.

Pete said: "From January to March, we were averaging just over one new patient a day - in previous years that has been just under half that. We've seen a huge jump recently, which is well over a 140% increase.

"The centre has gone from strength to strength."

Having expected six ducklings, the pair had to review capacity after 11 turned up at their doorstep.

While necessary to temporarily halt new admissions to "make sure the animals already in our care get the attention they deserve", Pete is hopeful of being able to reverse this in time and said the centre remains available for advice.

The team has successfully rehabilitated more than 1,000 animals on-site to date and often takes in those with ailments which take "a bit longer to heal".

Ultimately, caring for wildlife is the couple's passion.

"I love it. It's all I have ever wanted to do, ever since I was five years old," Pete added.

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