We understand the instinct to help. Most people mean well. But keeping injured wildlife at home because you think you can heal it yourself, because you fear a vet will put it down, or because you want to keep it, often causes far more suffering.

Important things to understand

• Wild animals hide pain extremely well
• A bird or animal sitting quietly may be in shock, in severe pain, dehydrated, or internally injured
• Many serious injuries cannot be seen from the outside
• Home care is not medical care

What injured wildlife may urgently need

• Pain relief
• Anti inflammatory medication
• Antibiotics
• Subcutaneous Fluids
• X rays
• Wound treatment for specific species (home remedies are usually toxic)
• Skilled handling and monitoring

Most people do not have these things at home.

Ask yourself honestly

• Would you leave your dog in pain without treatment
• Would you leave your cat with a suspected broken bone and no X ray
• Would you leave a child suffering and hope for the best

Wildlife deserve that same urgency and compassion.

The truth about vets nowadays

• Many vets are now very willing to help wildlife
• They do have a duty of care by law when injured wildlife is brought to them
• They can give urgent pain relief, fluids, and immediate treatment for free when brought in by the public
• They often work with local wildlife rescues and rehabbers
• More practices now understand that Vet Registered and Inspected Wildife Rescues and those registered with the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council can continue care after the animal is stabilised

So no, it is not always a case of “the vet will just put it down”.

The law matters too!

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to keep wild birds without lawful authority.

There is an exception for temporary holding of an injured wild bird or animal for the purpose of rescue and rehabilitation, but that does not mean any person can simply take wildlife home because they want to help it, treat it or raise it themselves

For that exception to be lawful

• The animal must be passed onto a trained or qualified person with the intention of release
• It must be passed to someone experienced, and properly equipped
• It must not be left to suffer unnecessarily
• It should receive veterinary help or qualified wildlife rehabilitation as soon as possible

Wildlife are not pets

• Keeping an injured wild animal because you have become attached is not kind
• Keeping one because you fancy a pet is even worse
• Wild creatures need specialist diets, medication, rehabilitation, and release planning
• Most will suffer badly in captivity if kept by untrained people

The kindest thing to do

• Place the animal in a secure ventilated box lined with tissues or a cloth
• Keep it warm, dark, and quiet
• Do not feed or put any food in its beak
• Do not give water
• Contact a vet or a trained wildlife rescue immediately for advice

Kindness is not keeping wildlife. Kindness is getting it the right help fast.
Thank you for caring