Animal Shelters and Rescues in Whitesmith

Whether you're looking to adopt, volunteer, donate, or simply learn more, here you’ll find a trusted list of animal shelter in Whitesmith that open their doors — and their hearts — to animals every day.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service

NAME

East Sussex WRAS

ADDRESS

2, The Shaw Barn, Whitesmith, Lewes BN8 6JD

TELEPHONE

+44 1825 873003

WEBSITE

http://www.wildlifeambulance.org/

Customer reviews

4.8 / 5 (more than 160 votes)

OPENING HOURS:

DAY	OPENING HOURS:
Monday	Open 24h
Tuesday	Open 24h
Wednesday	Open 24h
Thursday	Open 24h
Friday	Open 24h
Saturday	Open 24h
Sunday	Open 24h

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) is an award-winning community charity and a frontline emergency service for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. Founded by Trevor Weeks MBE, the organization operates a dedicated fleet of veterinary ambulances and a state-of-the-art Casualty Care Centre in Whitesmith.

From rescuing entangled swans to rehabilitating orphaned hedgehogs and foxes, WRAS provides expert, life-saving care to over 6,000 animals every year across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

🌟 Main Services Offered

24-Hour Emergency Rescue: A dedicated ambulance service equipped with specialized gear (nets, stretchers, and swan hooks) for technical wildlife rescues.
Veterinary Hospital & Rehabilitation: A fully registered Casualty Care Centre capable of housing up to 400 patients, including orphan wards and outdoor aviaries.
Wildlife Advice Line: Managing over 20,000 calls annually to provide members of the public with expert guidance on how to handle animal encounters.
Specialized Technical Rescue: Expert teams for high-risk situations involving large mammals like deer and badgers, or marine life like stranded seals.
Education & Outreach: Providing illustrated talks and community programs to promote biodiversity and coexistence with local wildlife.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tips for Encountering Wildlife in East Sussex

When you find an animal in distress in the South East, follow these essential guidelines to ensure the best outcome:

Assess Before You Act: For birds and small mammals, «rescue» isn’t always necessary. If you find a fledgling (a feathered baby bird) on the ground, it’s often being watched by its parents. Unless it’s injured or in immediate danger from a cat, leave it be! 🐦

The Daytime Hedgehog Rule: Hedgehogs are nocturnal. If you see one out in the sun during the day in East Sussex, it is almost certainly an animal in distress. Place it in a high-sided box with a towel and call the WRAS rescue line immediately. 🦔

Safety First for Large Species: Never attempt to handle large animals like foxes, badgers, swans, or deer yourself. They can be dangerous when frightened. Call the WRAS emergency line (0300 10 26 999) and wait for professional rescuers. 🦊

Road Casualties: If you find an injured deer on an East Sussex road that poses a hazard, call 999 for the Police first. They will coordinate with deer wardens and specialists to secure the area. 🦌

Support Local Care: Most private vets in England will stabilize wildlife for free, but they aren’t long-term rehabbers. By donating to WRAS, you help cover the average £97 cost per call-out that keeps these ambulances on the road. 🚑

We hope this directory has helped you connect with a shelter or rescue in Whitesmith that speaks to your heart. Every small action makes a big difference in the lives of animals. Thank you for being part of their journey to a better life.