Scottish SPCA National Wildlife Rescue Centre

We have successfully rehabilitated and released a young stoat after the animal was caught by a cat.

The stoat, who the team named Sebastian, was only three weeks old and weighed just 20g when he came to us.

Sebastian is the only stoat we have admitted since 2021, and only the fourth in the last four years.

He thrived and was soon moved to an outdoor aviary where he could learn natural behaviours.

We released him earlier this week when he was 12 weeks old. This is the age when young stoats would naturally disperse and leave their mother.

We’re sad to see him go but happy he is back to full health in his natural environment.

If you find an animal in distress, please phone our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

King Shark the bat was found wedged between a member of the public’s shower doors.

King Shark, who is a Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat, was freezing cold and very dehydrated when she arrived at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Our team spent time warming her up and rehydrating her. Soon she was well enough to eat food, and was placed in one of our bat tents where she would feel more comfortable.

Our team encouraged her to stretch her wings and keep her muscles strong. After only four days in our care, she was ready for release and was taken back to where she was picked up in Inverness-shire so that she could return to her roost.

We do everything we can to rescue animals across Scotland who need our help. If you see an animal in distress, call our helpline on 03000 999 999 for advice.

Chewie and Wicket are two young owlets that we rescued earlier this year.

Chewie was our first juvenile tawny owl of the season. A member of the public found him in their garden, struggling to fly. Wicket was found on a busy road and was at risk of being hit by a car.

The owlets were checked over when brought into our National Wildlife Rescue Centre and thankfully both were found to have no injuries. The pair were given time to rest and recuperate and were moved to our outside aviary when they were strong enough.

The pair became good friends and were released back into the wild together in June. Our vet team ringed them so we could identify them if they ever needed help again.

We have had over 40 juvenile tawny oils come into our care this year. Many people find them under trees and think they are injured. In fact, tawny owls are very agile and can climb tree trunks to get back into their nest.

If the tawny has not moved from one spot for a long time, they may be too young to be out of their nest or be injured. Call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999 for advice.

This baby hare is currently in the care of our National Wildlife Rescue Centre after travelling from Durham to Alexandria in an unsuspecting member of the public’s backpack!

The leveret was underweight when he arrived and, understandably, quite stressed from his travels.

Our team took the decision to move him to an outdoor aviary enclosure and found the sights, sounds and smells of the natural world really helped to calm him down and get him to settle.

As he was so young and underweight he was initially on milk feeds but we’re pleased to report that he’s now reached a healthy weight and will soon be weaned.

We’re hopeful that he’s on track to be released back into the wild in a few weeks’ time!

If you find a wild animal you think might need help, please visit our website for advice in the first instance here: https://bit.ly/3JZVa2u

If you find a sick or injured animal in immediate need, call our helpline on 03000 999 999.

Last year we were called out to over 5,000 incidents involving small mammals or birds where the animal was never located.

If you find a sick or injured small bird or animal we are now asking you to contain them before we send out an animal rescue officer. This will ensure we are using our limited resources in the most effective way possible.

This can be doing something as simple as putting them in a container or placing a box over the top of them as long as it poses no risk.
If anyone has concerns about an animal they can call our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

Find out more about suitable containment methods here: https://bit.ly/43j7GBi

Fundraise for Scotland’s animals and be a part of the rescue!

We have so many upcoming events and challenges, there really is a way for everyone to help.

🐾 Glasgow centre summer event – 9 July
🐾 Dumbarton centre summer event – 30 July
🐾 Aberdeen centre summer event – 12 August

🚶 There’s still time to sign up for the Dundee and Edinburgh Kiltwalk

🏃 Run for rescues – choose from 10ks, to half marathons to full marathons
☁️ Parachute for Paws and tick skydiving off your bucket list
🔥 Take on a Firewalk and show you can handle the heat
🌊 Zipslide the Clyde for the ultimate thrill
💪 Choose to take on all three adrenaline challenges to be an ultimate animal champion

Find out more on our website: https://bit.ly/3PD8o93

If you’d like support with your own fundraising, our team would love to hear from you! Email [email protected]

🐾 Today is thank you day!

There are so many people that play a part in every animal rescue. From our dedicated staff and volunteers to our kind members, supporters and fundraisers, everyone is part of the rescue team.

We simply couldn’t be there for all animals without every single one of you. So today, and every day, thank you!

Come meet our wildlife, animal rescue and fundraising teams!

Staff from our National Wildlife Rescue Centre, Dumbarton centre and fundraising department are holding an information day at Balmaha Visitor Centre, Balmaha, G63 0JQ on Friday 30 June from 10am – 2pm.

The event is free to attend and a great opportunity to learn about our work, and how you can become part of the rescue!

We can’t wait to see you there! Let us know you’re attending here: https://bit.ly/3CLK514