Wild Creatures and Vet's

Post by **Richard** » 02 Dec 2007, 10:22

I recall a few years back taking a Hedgehog to the Vet's and I didn't have to pay.

Could anyone confirm that Vet's are obliged to treat a wild species should you take one in ?

Or is it just the RSPCA?

If so, it's quite useful info.

Thanks, Richard

melons · Post by **melons** » 02 Dec 2007, 15:08

I thought that I'd read on the RSPCA web site that they have done a little deal with all vets, so they treat wildlife for free, I've certainly taken plenty of daft things in my time & not beeen charged.

Post by **Richard** » 02 Dec 2007, 15:23

Now as you mention it, I do recall the Vet saying something when I took the Hedgehog in.

I found him stationery in the garden for hours.

I forget what the Vet did to it, but I took it back and put him in a really warm cardboard box with loads of straw etc. (it was late Autumn), but he only lasted a couple of days.

Post by **wendy** » 02 Dec 2007, 18:43

Yes, I have had to take two pigeons to the vet this year, at different times and they took them in without any problems
Wendy

Post by **Richard** » 03 Dec 2007, 00:24

It's quite re-assuring isn't it.

and good.

Jodi · Post by **Jodi** » 03 Dec 2007, 00:26

Don't know what the deal is here either, but I've taken lots of found animals and birds to the vets. They have treated them and arranged for them to be taken in by a wildlife shelter if they are strong enough - or in one case, a zoologist who specialised in parrots and birds of prey. I've never been charged.

They'd have to be pretty awful to charge someone for doing the right thing by an injured animal wouldn't you think?

cheers
Jodi

Speckledhen · Post by **Speckledhen** » 04 Dec 2007, 12:31

Hi Richard,

Thanks for that useful bit of knowledge. It would be interesting to tackle my local vets' over that!! My husband found an injured hedgehog a few years ago, rang the RSPCA who said they would probably just put it down(!!) After a few phone calls he managed to find a local wildlife rescue place and delivered the hedgehog to them. Can't remember if he bothered asking the vets for help.

Michele

Gwenoakes · Post by **Gwenoakes** » 04 Dec 2007, 15:42

The RCVS have an agreement with the RSPCA to take in wildlife and treat.
The RSPCA collection officer told me this when I found the baby Jackdaw and then the Pigeon which was injured. Although our vets obviously didnt know about this agreement as when I rang them re the Jackdaw the receptionist said if I took it in they would pts! So, didnt bother ringing them re the pigeon, just phoned RSPCA who came out and took it to a wildlife rescue centre at Lincoln.
Must say I have been very impressed with the RSPCA on these two occassions and how swiftly they acted. Maybe they are changing?

TassieDev · Post by **TassieDev** » 08 Dec 2007, 08:17

That's great that they do that.

Here in Aus the RSPCA doesn't deal with wild animals, well not in WA where I lived and I haven't had to find out here in Tassie yet.
It's up to the volunteer run wildlife shelters and the State Govt does a bit towards it as far as co-ordinating the shelters with a telephone helpline.

As far as vets go I am not aware of any compulsion for them to treat for free. I have taken a couple of things in personally but unfortunately they had to be euthanised, and they did not charge me.

The wildlife shelter I used to volunteer at had a particular vet they used, as most vets here have limited knowledge of native animals. I am not sure what fees they were charged but I am pretty sure it was not done completely free of charge. They may have done the consultation for free and charged for any dr-ugs etc used.