The Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, which was originally founded in Cropthrone but now resides in Beckford, rescued more than 8,000 animals in 2024 despite a fall in donations.
2025 has already been busy for the charity’s team after being called out for a roe deer needing help at 4.30am on January 1 after being hit by a car.
In an update on Facebook staff at the Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre said: “Another record breaking year for Vale in 2024, taking in 8,091 wildlife casualties, our highest on record.
“The first casualty of 2025 was a callout to a Roe Deer that had been hit by a car at 4:30am this morning (January 1).
“2024 has been a difficult year financially for Vale, with our current expenses outweighing our income, but our supporters never cease to amaze us.
“Even though times are difficult for most, you always find a way of supporting us, whether it be financially, by giving your time as a volunteer, donating goods to us and even sharing our posts to increase awareness, we cannot thank you all enough.
“And of course, the biggest thank you goes to our amazing team, without them, we wouldn’t be able to help over 8,000 patients every year.”
In December the Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre said it was ‘considering changes’ including limiting admissions in 2025 after a fall in donations and increased expenses.
Speaking at the time, Natalie Gould admin manager at the centre, said: “This has been our busiest year yet and it’s looking very likely that we will help more than 8,000 animals.
“Unfortunately our expenses now outweigh our income.
“We have been helping more animals but the prices for everything have also gone up. It costs about £2,300 per day to run the hospital, and about £70,000 per month.
“We are having pretty serious discussions about having to make changes because it’s just not sustainable.
“We are having talks about potentially limiting numbers which is not something we want to do but it’s a last resort and something we have to consider.”