Call for Feedback from Wildlife Rehabilitators
Animal Welfare Act & Subsequent Legislation

 

The BWRC is calling for opinions from rehabilitators regarding the potential future impact of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (and subsequent secondary legislation) on practicing wildlife rehabilitators in the UK. You can read this legislation on the UK Statute Law Database website at www.statutelaw.gov.uk.

The Act requires owners and keepers of animals to meet their welfare needs and it is envisaged that animal sanctuaries (including wildlife rehabilitation facilities) may, at some point in the future, be registered and possibly licensed (and therefore inspected) by local authorities. In the USA activities like wildlife rehabilitation are quite strictly controlled; individuals and establishments are licensed separately as individuals need to demonstrate competence, while establishments need to be suitable.

The BWRC wishes to encourage rehabilitators to give their views & discuss the potential consequences of further legislation by completing and returning our questionnaire, and/or by contributing to discussion at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition Symposium 2009.

This year’s Symposium will be held at Writtle College near Chelmsford, Essex on Saturday 21 November 2009 with the theme of scientific research into wildlife rehabilitation. Alongside professional rehabilitators and research scientists, students in further, higher and post-graduate education are invited to report on research projects related to wildlife rehabilitation – either by verbal or poster presentation. To apply for tickets, please download and complete the booking form. Student and group bookings are eligible for discounted ticket prices. For more information, please contact Terri Amory (terri@bwrc.org.uk).

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition is composed of Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital (Cheshire), the Skye Environmental Centre and the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.