This wildlife course will discuss how to handle animals in a safe and responsible way, using appropriate protective equipment as necessary. This course is for people who have already attended SWWR’s Introduction to wildlife rehabilitation and release course (Wildlife Course 1). Children of 14 years and over are welcome provided a parent or other responsible adult also attends the course.

Attention to hygiene is important, both to protect ourselves and to avoid spread of infections to animals and between animals. We will discuss how to organise animal accommodation to make cleaning safe and easy, which disinfectant products to use and how to use them.

Good records of admissions, clinical care and progress and outcomes are essential for individual animal care. Effective record keeping also allows us to review the whole process of rehabilitation and just how successful it really is. Records and licences are also required for legal reasons. We will discuss the types of records we keep at Secret World Wildlife Rescue (SWWR).

In the afternoon we will explore the specific housing, feeding and care requirements for common birds and mammals. Following on from the principles of orphan rearing in Wildlife Course 1, the rearing and subsequent rehabilitation of specific species of orphan animals will be looked at in greater depth.

This is a full day course, so please bring your own packed lunch; there are also facilities for heating food. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided throughout the day. The course will be led by Lecturers: Pauline Kidner (Founder, SWWR), and Laura Benfield (Head of Animal Care Services, SWWR)

Please note: This course is only for people who have already attended SWWR’s Introduction to wildlife rehabilitation and release course (Wildlife Course 1) and wish to develop their skills further. This course also forms part of the SWWR Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release.