The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC) is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of care and welfare for wildlife casualties. By applying for and accepting membership with the BWRC, all parties are expected to uphold these standards as defined by the Council.
To support practitioners in this field, we have developed a 10-point set of core principles that form the foundation for professional and evidence-based wildlife rehabilitation. All BWRC members and their organisations involved in wildlife rehabilitation are required to adhere to these principles. Members must identify and collect evidence to demonstrate compliance. Failure to provide such evidence may result in termination of membership.
Each year, we will select a number of members or member organisations from our membership list through a random selection process. Selected members will be contacted via email to submit evidence of compliance.
Upon formal request, a centre will have up to one month to submit a short report demonstrating adherence to the principles, which will be reviewed by BWRC Trustees. Feedback and a statement of compliance will be provided within a specified timeframe.
No member will be audited more than once in any three-year period unless a complaint, with supporting evidence, is raised against them.
We understand that it may take time for members to begin this process and to gather evidence for each principle if not already available. We are here to support our members and encourage you to reach out with any queries or questions.
To comply, at all times, with all relevant legislation in regards to the capture, handling, captive rehabilitation, release (and euthanasia) of wildlife.
In particular, this includes the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the Medicines Act 1968.
To ensure that a high level of biosecurity is observed and adhered to at all times.
The appropriate use of PPE is mandatory to ensure the safety of both the rehabilitator and their wildlife casualties
There must be an agreement (ideally in writing) with one or more local veterinary practices for the provision of veterinary advice, treatment and surgery (including euthanasia).
A written euthanasia policy should be available detailing the available methods of and general reasons for euthanasia.
Staff and volunteers must be appropriately trained for the tasks they will be carrying out in order to continually secure animal welfare needs. This should be recorded and CPD should be encouraged.
Staffing levels should be appropriate to the numbers, ages and species being cared for during rehabilitation.
Animal needs (also known as the 5 freedoms) as set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 must be provided at all times throughout the rehabilitation process.
All public facing media (websites, social media etc) must reflect the highest standards of care and adherence to current legislation and biosecurity advice.
They must also follow BWRC’s guidance regarding the use of wildlife in media.
Facilities (housing, enclosures, holding areas) and equipment provided for wildlife rehabilitation should be suitable and adequate for both the species and the numbers of patients involved.
They should also be designed and constructed of materials which allow suitable disinfection.
Accurate records (either paper or digital) should be maintained including as a basic minimum:
• Dates of admission and exit
• Species
• Age (adult/juvenile)
• Sex
• Reason for admission
• Outcome.
There should be a written policy for every rehabilitation centre to continually review their existing policies and methods of care and treatment of wildlife casualties in order to remain up to date with current thinking and to ensure that the highest animal welfare needs are met.
The BWRC firmly opposes the permanent captivity of any native British wild-bred animal within rescue or rehabilitation environments. Keeping these wild animals in sanctuaries can present ethical challenges and is likely to compromise their welfare.
Save in rare, exceptional circumstances, these animals should be humanely euthanised to protect their long-term welfare.
Requirement
Guidance Notes
The Centre must have written protocols relating to:
Requirement
To ensure that a high level of biosecurity is observed and adhered to at all times. The appropriate use of PPE is mandatory to ensure the safety of both the rehabilitator and their wildlife casualties
Guidance Notes
There should be a written biosecurity policy for:
Requirement
There must be an agreement (ideally in writing) with one or more local veterinary practices for the provision of veterinary advice, treatment and surgery (including euthanasia). A written euthanasia policy should be available detailing the available methods of and general reasons for euthanasia.
Guidance Notes
The Centre must provide evidence of an agreement for the provision of veterinary services with one or more local veterinary practices, including the provision of advice, diagnosis and treatments (medicines, diagnostics, surgery and euthanasia).
If POM-V and/or POM-VPS drugs are used at the Centre, there should be written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for their use legally, including who is trained and allowed to administer them.
Requirement
Staff and volunteers must be appropriately trained for the tasks they will be carrying out in order to continually secure animal welfare needs. This should be recorded and CPD should be encouraged. Staffing levels should be appropriate to the numbers, ages and species being cared for during rehabilitation.
Guidance Notes
The Centre must have written protocols for the training of staff and volunteers.
Records should be kept for each staff member and volunteer attesting to their level of training and permitted responsibilities.
There should be a written policy encouraging all staff to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and maintaining records of such CPD for all staff.
There should be a written document detailing the reasoning and policies used to determine the appropriate levels of staffing at the Centre.
Requirement
Guidance Notes
The Centre should have a written statement testifying that they meet the Five Needs for all casualties whilst they are in its care.
Requirement
All public facing media (websites, social media etc.) must reflect the highest standards of care and adherence to current legislation and biosecurity advice. They must also follow BWRC’s guidance regarding the use of wildlife in media.
Guidance Notes
There should be a written policy detailing who is responsible for publishing text, images or videos on any public facing media along with guidance on what is and what is not considered acceptable.
There should be a policy for dealing with complaints and positive as well as adverse comments directed towards the Centre.
Requirement
Facilities (housing, enclosures, holding areas) and equipment provided for wildlife rehabilitation should be suitable and adequate for both the species and the numbers of patients involved. They should also be designed and constructed of materials which allow suitable disinfection.
Guidance Notes
There should be a written policy defining the species which the Centre is overall equipped to rehabilitate.
There should be an assessment of both the optimum and maximum numbers of each normally rehabilitated species that can be accommodated within each area/enclosure in accordance with the Five Needs.
There should be written policies on:
Each area/enclosure should be described in terms of size, construction materials, flooring, heating and ventilation.
Requirement
Accurate records (either paper or digital) should be maintained including as a basic minimum: Dates of admission and exit, species, age (adult/juvenile), sex, reason for admission and outcome.
Guidance Notes
There should be a written policy detailing how the Centre keeps accurate records of casualties and who is responsible for the entering/maintenance of the data.
Where POM-V and/or POM-VPS drugs are used, there should be a written policy on how these are recorded and accounted for.
Requirement
There should be a written policy for every rehabilitation centre to continually review their existing policies and methods of care and treatment of wildlife casualties in order to remain up to date with current thinking and to ensure that the highest animal welfare needs are met.
Guidance Notes
Additional to specific policies applicable to other Principles, for each species normally treated, there should be written protocols covering:
There should be a written policy on how these protocols are made available to relevant staff at the Centre and how frequently such protocols are reviewed, updated and by whom.
Requirement
The BWRC firmly opposes any native British animal, of wild-origin, being kept in permanent captivity in rescue or rehabilitation environments. Keeping these wild animals in sanctuaries can present ethical challenges and is likely to compromise their welfare. Save in rare, exceptional circumstances, these animals should be humanely euthanised to protect their long-term welfare.
Guidance Notes
There should be a written policy acknowledging that keeping British wild-origin animals in permanent captivity is likely to compromise their welfare.
For Centres where, for historical reasons or under exceptional circumstances, captive wild-origin animals are maintained in long term captivity, there should be written statements for each animal explaining the reasons why they are the exception.
In such circumstances, there should be a written policy outlining the centre’s plan to evolve to a situation where no wild-origin animals are kept at the centre (e.g. when any historically captive animal dies, they are not to be replaced).
1. Associate membership applications
Applications for associate membership will be considered by the BWRC based on criteria such as professional background, relevance to the BWRC’s mission, and completeness of the application. The BWRC reserves the right to refuse applications that do not meet these criteria.
2. Membership payments, renewals, and cancellations
Payment can be made by cheque, BACS, or Standing Order. Please make cheques payable to “British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council” and send them to BWRC, The Gateway 85-101 Sankey Street, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1SR. For BACS and Standing Order payments, use the following bank details:
To cancel your membership, please notify us in writing by sending an email to [email protected] stating your reason for cancellation. This reason will be recorded for internal use only.
3. Individual associate membership rights and responsibilities
Associate individual non-voting membership of the BWRC does not count as membership for legal purposes. Therefore, Associate Members do not have any voting rights, legal obligations to act in the interests of the BWRC, or any liability to contribute to the assets of the BWRC on dissolution. The BWRC is not liable for any disputes arising between the member and their organisation regarding membership.
Associate Member benefits may change without notice. Members will be notified of any significant changes via email or through updates on the BWRC website.
4. The ten principles of wildlife rehabilitation
As a member of BWRC, you will be dedicated to upholding the highest standards of care and welfare for wildlife casualties. Individual members should adhere to all of the following principles:
5. Associate membership benefits
6. Terminating membership
The BWRC reserves the right to revoke or decline the renewal of membership if a Member’s actions bring the organisation into disrepute. This includes, but is not limited to:
Any such decision will be made at the discretion of the BWRC, following a fair and transparent review process.
7. Variation of terms & conditions
These terms and conditions may be revised from time to time. If they are revised, we will post the revised version on the BWRC website and email it to all members. Members will have 30 days to review and accept the revised terms. Continued membership after this period will be deemed acceptance of the changes. Please note that individual membership cannot be changed to Associate Organisation and a separate application for AOM is required in these circumstances.
8. Contact information
For membership inquiries, payments, and cancellations, please contact us at:
