British Veterinary Zoological Society – New guidelines for wildlife care 2016

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The BVZS has issued new guidelines for professionals working in the rescue and rehabilitation of British wildlife. These guidelines aim to refine and clarify the laws surrounding wildlife care and assist those that work in the industry to
exercise the best possible practice within their rescue and rehabilitation centres. The guidelines will help all those with a career in the veterinary industry to understand and achieve the best possible means of ensuring the highest standard of welfare for British wildlife. The aim of the BVZS’ recommendations is to further educate those in the veterinary industry – particularly those who are new to the area or are looking to begin their veterinary career – on the methods of treatment most likely to result in an animal’s successful reintroduction to the wild. The BVZS states that all who work in the industry should become familiar with the recent guidelines, as every individual working in the veterinary field is more than likely to be presented with cases of rescued wildlife at some point in their career. Veterinary surgeons are often required to treat injured or orphaned wildlife and effective communication with wildlife rehabilitators is essential to ensure the animal can be rehabilitated and returned to the wild as quickly as possible, in a hassle-free process.

Theresa Amory, Chair of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC) explained that the “BWRC aims to support and promote the professional integrity of wildlife rehabilitators. Whilst we recognise that meeting all of these guidelines may be difficult (particularly for smaller scale rehabilitators), we hope that they will enable rehabilitators to work alongside veterinary partners with increased awareness and confidence in their own working policies and procedures.”

The guidelines also offer more clarity on the differences between treatment of wild animals and owned animals. A wild animal brought in to a rescue centre may be legally considered as under their ownership. If the animal is then transferred to the care of another veterinary surgery, the new guidelines include instructions on the correct procedures for transfer of responsibility and clarify the process.

Not only will surgeons and rehabilitators be affected by the new guidelines, but all those involved with the delivery and storage of medicine as well. The new parameters cover the storage of veterinary medicines and the administration of
controlled drugs, so all involved with the manufacture and supply of medicine will be affected by these new guidelines. They cover every area of care, from human contact to feeding, from safe containment to correct medical treatment. A
PDF of the guidelines can be read and downloaded from the BVZS website.