Wildlife - legal obligations

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

PJ Zurawel — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 13:44:21 GMT

I was under the impression that the RSPCA would only help financially if the animal was over 1kg?? But I could be wrong

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

Sal the 1st — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 18:27:24 GMT

The RSPCA will only provide a number if the client has contacted them BEFORE taking whatever animal it is to the surgery - we have had this problem so many times. We don't generally charge for wildlife unless it is brought in by a wildlife rescue centre and is going to require a lot of time or treatment (and the cost then is very heavily subsidised) and we don't charge for euthanasia if nothing can be done. We don't charge a MOP bringing in wildlife. We use RSPCA as a very last resort.

Look up RSPCA payment policy for emergency wildlife treatment by private vets it will tell you all you need to know. Although in that document it does say treatment will only be funded if the vet and not the MOP contacts the RSPCA and on a case by case basis - our experience has been that this does not work as once the animal is in the surgery unless the MOP has contacted them and been advised to take the animal in for treatment or wait for them to attend we have to fight for payment. Sometimes its just not worth the hassle and we get on and do what we can.

We deal with a lot of hedgehogs where I work - and I mean a lot as we have 3 branches of hedgehog rescue using us - good job I like hedgehogs and their fleas, ticks and maggots. We have had some really interesting cases in recently, and in spite of the recent write up I read on the rare case of ballooning syndrome in hedgehogs it really isn't that rare - we have seen into double figures this year alone.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

emmadilemma — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 13:15:15 GMT

[quote user="Eloise Tucker"]Also, if your vet or practice manager is concerned about funds over and above welfare pain relief and euthanasia, the rspca will usually provide a purchase order number to the value of £50 for treatment.[/quote]

We've had problems getting that once the client gets to the practice, so now I always ask them to call the RSPCA before they get here.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

Eloise Tucker — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:08:34 GMT

Our rule is that if it's in the door, it's in. Over the last month we've had two pigeons, two crows, three bats and a seagull. One of the pigeons and a crow had to be pts due to their injuries, the other two were released and I took the bats and the seagull to rescue. Our practice manager takes in hedgehogs :-)

Also, if your vet or practice manager is concerned about funds over and above welfare pain relief and euthanasia, the rspca will usually provide a purchase order number to the value of £50 for treatment.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

Anne Watkins — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:22:34 GMT

It is a sad truth that a lot of vets do not want to be bothered by wildlife as they're not going to make money from them! Very frustrating! But I've worked with several vets who have actually been brilliant and attentive to the needs of injured/ill wildlife :) Just need a prod in the right direction sometimes...

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

Wildlife Nurse — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 01:05:15 GMT

Duty of care, emergency first aid to an animal of ANY species, not to mention they are not allowed to leave any animal suffering under the law, turning away would be exactly that.....

If wildlife comes in, it is at very least entitled to pain relief, else that is continuing suffering.(Then by all means send it on to wildlife hospital.)

Also preservation of life is surely sworn to. Euthanasia should only be the chosen option in beyond saving circumstances. (Exactly the same way as domestics, it's genuinely NO difference).

I am still so disheartened that nowadays so many VS don't give a s**t about wildlife. Luckily I have been able to educate a few, thank goodness. But so many times I see it taken in and left in a kennel until 'someone has the time' or it dies in pain and suffering. That is not right. It wouldn't happen to a cat or dog brought in. So why anything else?

They are actually not so different to treat from any pets, (as much as many think). They just need slightly different handling and a quieter time. Then pass on to a wildlife rescue, they are there to help and take them on. (There are SO MANY more than there used to be).

In wildlife rescue, back to the wild is the best option. There are however places they can live in a safe enclosed environment that is as close to their natural life as possible and that is brilliant! They live long, happy, natural lives.

In my experience it seems that if no one is paying the bill, there is no owner to to call up so it doesn't matter. This is not what I am made for - ALL animals feel pain, ALL animals have a right to life.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

Anne Watkins — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:20:57 GMT

I was the 'wildlife nurse' at my last practice as that was my interest. We never turned wildlife away and, as you say, there is a duty of care to animals whether it's a dog or a hedgehog! I often used to continue their care and rehab at home. it's not true that most cannot be saved as many often can be treated for a short time and released good as new :)

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

k.91 — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:18:48 GMT

We frequently tell people not to bring us Grey Squirrels as i believe we are obliged to PTS by the Scottish Government for Red squirrel protection. We PTS a surprisingly small amount of the wildlife brought in to us, there is a private wildlife rehab centre near us who take everything that we believe can be saved.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

steph fursland — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 21:38:23 GMT

If the animal is healthy (I.e fledgling) then fine to tell the finder to return it to where they got it.

If it is in pain or injured then it should be given first aid or euthanised - I am pretty sure to send away the animal if injured is to allow it to suffer unnecessarily so is against the animal welfare act and the RCVS code.

I think in many situations euthanasia is the most appropriate because wild animals can't be kept in captivity, treatment may be painful and stressful for wild animals, and the chance of successful rehabilitation may be low. There are also laws against the release of 'pest' species like squirrels so the only option there is PTS. However, the decision should be made based on the animal's condition and the available care facilities, and so having a 'policy' that wildlife is PTS isn't really appropriate IMO.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

emmadilemma — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:36:03 GMT

Under the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, a veterinary surgeon must:

Treat all patients, of whatever species, humanely, with respect and with welfare as the primary consideration
Provide 24 hour emergency cover, which means at least immediate first aid and pain relief

As far as I know the above still applies but maybe clarify with the RCVS. It means that your colleague is wrong to turn clients away. It however wont stop animals being admitted and immediately euthanised even if they could have been saved and released.

Hate pigeonism too! As medical professionals it's not our job to decree that some animals are more worthy of treatment than others based on personal prejudices.

RE: Wildlife - legal obligations

kerryfeehan — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 21:03:35 GMT

I'm afraid I'm not too sure of legal obligations but I too am under the impression that we have a duty of care to at least check and administer first aid or euthanise if that is the case. At my practice we have close links with a local hedgehog charity and anything else we call the RSPCA who will come and collect wildlife (only thing they do collect!). I can't imagine the stink clients would kick up if we turned them away!!!