Since the Covid Pandemic, Cheshire’s Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital’s usual sources of income have all but dried up. Higher costs of travel and changes in regulations have resulted in school visits to the reserve going from being fully booked to perhaps one class a month. Avian flu meant for a long time that they were limited in capacity to accept birds and waterfowl. Changes to legislation in the handling of medicines and being able to administer anaesthesia to patients has meant a stark increase in veterinary costs, while causing a downturn in donations to the hospital due to many casualties needing to be taken to a vet first by the finder, rather than bringing them straight to the hospital.

Anything that reduces patient intake directly impacts ability to fundraise. To add to the huge impact on funding, energy costs have skyrocketed in the last four years, costing the most during the lowest income period of the winter months. They cannot just shut down for the winter as permanent residents are still cared for and they often have patients overwintering too, ready to be released the following Spring when conditions improve, so of course must keep them, staff and volunteers warm and comfortable.

The reserve is a haven for wildlife and is not open to the general public other than by prior arrangement only to organised parties such as schools, societies, natural history parties, and groups with disabilities. The wildlife hospital admits around 2000 wildlife casualties per year. This can be anything from an injured fox or badger to an orphaned hedgehog or fledgling bird. Their aim is to treat and care for every animal or bird that is brought to them with the intention to release back to the wild. If possible, please help us save Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital and Reserve from closure by clicking on one of the donate buttons. Thank you.