• About us

We are an animal charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of British wildlife. We are passionate about protecting the future for our native species.

We run one of the UK’s busiest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. We deal with over 20,000 wildlife-related incidents, each year. It’s a 24/7 job. On any day, our rescuers will be scaling trees to rescue stranded baby owls or cutting fox cubs from garden netting. Our vets will be performing life-saving surgery, while our carers look after hundreds of patients and young babies being nursed in our rehab centre.

We rely on a small army of over 300 volunteers and run popular outreach and education programmes that help people take actions to make the world a better place for us and our animal neighbours in the natural world.

We are one of the longest-established wildlife centres in the UK and have been championing British wildlife for over 40 years.

A future for British wildlife

1 in 7 species in the UK is faced with extinction in our life time, and 50% of all British species are in decline. The Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) exists to protect and care for as many native species as possible. We live in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world - WAF works to redress the balance – and ensure a future for British wildlife.

To create a world where humans are more compassionate and empathic towards the wildlife around us. A world where more people are aware of the need to protect British wildlife. A world where we are able to help ALL animals.

In Britain, we are fortunate to enjoy a huge diversity of native animals and birds, but, every year, millions of these animals are killed, injured or suffer some trauma, either as a result of direct contact with man or the impact that we have on the environment.

Our aim is to help redress the balance between man and nature and to play our part in preserving our heritage for future generations to enjoy. While there are many organisations and schemes dedicated to the vital work of preserving natural habitats, there are still very few helping to preserve the species that live within them. Here at the WAF, we are dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.

Through history, we have seen how the impact of losing one species can have devastating effects on the whole ecosystem and there may be even more long-term effects that, as yet, we still do not fully understand.

Each and every animal plays its own part in preserving the balance of nature. At WAF, no British wild animal, from any species, is ever turned away if it needs our help.

All wild animals that come into WAF’s Surrey-based wildlife hospital are treated and rehabilitated completely free of charge. Our aim is to return every animal that is capable of surviving, back to its natural environment. We are not species specific and will treat any form of British wildlife.

At the Wildlife Aid Foundation, we do not believe that it is right to keep any wild animal in captivity, so, if, despite our every effort, an animal cannot be returned to the wild to live a full and healthy life, we will afford that animal the dignity of a peaceful and pain-free death in a warm and comfortable environment. Every day, however, the care and dedication of our volunteers allows us to see remarkable recoveries that, otherwise, would not have been possible.

Education

At WAF, we believe passionately in the importance of education in helping to preserve our heritage.

Through school talks, presentations, our website, and many other means of communication, we play an active role in helping future generations understand and learn about threats to Britain’s wild animals, what we can all do to help, and environmental issues that affect us all. Find out more, today.

As a centre of excellence dealing with all native species, we receive thousands of phone calls, letters and e-mails asking for advice and help, from vets, schools, members of the public and other charities and organisations.

We are always available to offer what help and support we can. We provide work experience for students from across the country and liaise regularly with agricultural and training establishments on the content of the wildlife section of animal care courses. Whatever the problem, if it concerns British wildlife, we will find the answer.