ADOPT TIMES
Issue 6
Autumn 2026
IN THIS ISSUE... Grogu’s Glow-Up - page 5 Mud, Muck and Miracles page 14 An Unexpected Lifeguard page 16
Autumn Adventures
How your support helped British wildlife this autumn
Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
INTRODUCTION
One of the nicest things about Adopt Times is the chance to pause every few months, reflect on what's been happening at Wildlife Aid, and share it with the people who make so much of our work possible. Whether you've recently adopted an animal or have been supporting us for years, thank you. Your kindness and generosity mean more than you might realise. This summer has certainly kept us on our toes. It feels as though we've barely had time to catch our breath between one heatwave and the next. Long spells of hot, dry weather are becoming less unusual, and while many of us might welcome a little more sunshine, the wildlife around us experiences these conditions very differently. For many animals, finding enough water becomes a daily challenge. Ponds shrink, natural water sources dry up, and the energy needed simply to stay cool can leave them vulnerable. The good news is that small, thoughtful actions really can make a difference. A shallow bowl of fresh water left in the garden, a corner of the lawn allowed to grow a little longer, or choosing plants that provide food and shelter can all help wildlife through the hottest days. Here at Wildlife Aid, we see every day how resilient our native wildlife can be. We also see how much difference people make when they choose to care. Whether you support us through your adoption, a donation, volunteering your time, or simply by putting out a bowl of water on a hot day, you're helping to give wild animals the extra chance they so often need. Thank you for being such an important part of the Wildlife Aid family, and for standing with us as we help wildlife navigate a changing world.
Contents
With warmest wishes, Lou
Inside WAF..................................................... 3 Fox News.......................................................... 4-5 Hedgehog Headlines.......................... 6-7 Badger Bulletin.......................................... 8-9 Owl Tweets.................................................... 10-11 Deer Daily....................................................... 12 Rabbit Report.............................................. 13 Pigeon Post.................................................... 14-15 Bat Broadcast............................................. 16 Your Adoption Impact...................... 17
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
INSIDE WAF
by Abi Sillence
I am relatively new to volunteering in the animal husbandry team at Wildlife Aid Foundation, having only started in September 2025, but I’m loving it!
I started doing a Tuesday evening session – Wildlife Aid is just around the corner from work, so nice and convenient. Evening sessions are great, feeding the animals and making sure they’re safe and secure for the night, as well as making sure bins are emptied, floors are cleaned and supplies are stocked up. The team are great too and made me feel instantly welcome. After a couple of months, I decided to add a Saturday morning shift to my schedule, and this is even better! The team is much bigger than an evening shift and we have designated areas we focus on, but ultimately we’re weighing, cleaning and feeding the patients, setting them up for their day ahead – one step closer to their release. I feel things are going well, I’m gaining confidence in the tasks I’m assigned – the occasional pigeon makes a break for freedom, but I’m learning how to manage this so it’s less likely to happen going forward! How did my journey at Wildlife Aid Foundation start? I have always been interested in British wildlife having been brought up in the countryside and having parents who shared their wildlife knowledge with me; from grasshoppers to badgers and everything in between. We spent many a summer evening badger watching in the local woods, going on long walks spotting bunnies, birds, butterflies and so much more. When my husband and I took on an allotment, I quickly became involved with the Committee and became the Nature Officer, looking after the pond, running pond dipping sessions and arranging bat and bee talks. I also installed wildlife cameras so we could monitor our inhabitants, it was great to be able to confirm the suspicions that we had local badgers, red kites and roe deer to name just a few. Through work, I was on a charity marathon walk through the Surrey Hills, sharing my knowledge of the local inhabitants in a meadow we were walking through. One of the participants asked me if I knew about Wildlife Aid and if I’d considered volunteering. I had considered it, having met another volunteer through our allotment community, but hadn’t done anything about it. I went home that evening and filled out the application form, and here I am. It’s such a privilege to be a part of rehabilitating and releasing our beautiful wildlife. Interested in volunteering? Scan the QR code to see all the roles we have availble.
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Scan me
Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Fox News Shot, Struck and Still Standing
This poor young fox had been through so much in his short life. He was found collapsed and in a great deal of pain. When brought to our hospital, he was extremely weak on arrival; his face was cut, his back leg stiff and his toes fractured. He’d been hit by a car. But, not only this, shockingly, x-rays revealed an old bullet lodged beneath the skin in his chest. Someone had shot him. He had endured so much suffering. Thanks to our wonderful vet, Judith, he was given safety, warmth and medicine to help with the pain. Judith then carefully bandaged his leg so he could rest and begin recovery. For the time being, he was out of harm’s way. During his stay with us, he received regular checks to assess how he was healing. And, within just 48 hours, he looked like a completely different fox! He was much brighter and you could see in his eyes just how much better he felt after receiving the emergency treatment he so desperately needed. After a couple of weeks in our care, his recovery was nothing short of remarkable. The wounds on his face had healed, strength returned to his legs and toes, and he soon started removing his bandage, himself. Luckily, by then, the swelling in his leg and toes had gone down, and he was finally able to use his foot again. Before long, he was back on his feet, running around! This sweet boy was, thankfully, able to be released on the 19th June 2026. He was a wonderful patient to treat, and we wish him good luck in his future endeavours. Life in the wild is never without risk, but for wildlife living alongside people, those risks are often multiplied. This fox had already endured more than any animal should have to, yet he continued to fight.
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Grogu’s Glow-Up When little Grogu arrived, he shocked our team. Grogu had one of the worst cases of mange we had ever seen in an animal so young. His painfully dry and sore skin was something no young cub should ever have to deal with. Luckily, our team was here to help. Mange is a contagious skin disease caused by parasitic mites. It is usually secondary to something else, so, when an animal is feeling unwell, they are more likely to contract it. For tiny Grogu, he required medication and lots and lots of baths to help treat the nasty disease. Many baths later and Grogu looked like a completely different fox! Once his mange had completely cleared, it was time to pair him with a group of foxes of a similar age, so he could learn, play and grow alongside them. Grogu and co were with us up until they grew into young foxes, ready to head to soft release. And Grogu couldn’t have turned out handsomer. The once tiny, vulnerable cub, riddled with mange, grew up to be one of the most beautiful foxes we have ever seen. We’re sure he’ll be stealing all the ladies’ hearts in his new wild life!
Since Jan 2026, your adoption has helped....
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624 Foxes
4 5
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now? k u
Foxes use Earth’s magnetic field as a targeting system to catch prey.
Autumn 2026
Hedgehog Headlines
Adopt Times
Seeing the World Differently
This poor girl had already overcome more than most. After being spotted out in the daytime, when little Pebble arrived at our hospital, it was clear she had been suffering for quite some time. Her eye was severely damaged, painful and sunken. Our team knew then that it needed to be removed. Our wonderful vet, Judith, performed the surgery. Making sure Pebble was calm and comfortable the entire time. Thankfully, the surgery went extremely well, and tiny Pebble was left with one eye and a pretty impressive scar. Hedgehogs rely primarily on smell and hearing, so, can adapt remarkably well to only having one eye. It didn’t take long for Pebble to start feeling like herself again. In just nine days, her eye had almost completely healed, and the vulnerable little hedgehog who first arrived at WAF had become the curious, busy little hog she was always meant to be. After two weeks in care, she was released on the 11th July; we wish her all the best on her future journey.
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Left Out in the Rain This little guy was found alone in the rain after becoming separated from his mother and siblings. A local veterinary practice kindly took him in before transferring him into our care. When he arrived, he was underweight, and suffering from a nasty case of ringworm. But, he was still bright, active, and very keen to explore his new surroundings. Slowly but surely, this tiny fighter began to turn a corner. Thanks to the expert care of our wonderful vets, he grew a little stronger with each passing day. As such a tiny hoglet, he was far too young to survive on his own, so, he was entrusted to one of our incredible home carers. There, he received round-the-clock feeds, warmth and the care he needed to grow into a healthy young hedgehog. It's hard to believe that in less than a month, this tiny, rain-soaked ball of spines transformed into a confident juvenile hedgehog, ready to begin the greatest adventure of all: life back in the wild.
Since Jan 2026, your adoption has helped....
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Hedgehogs Hedgehogs
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Hedgehogs are good runners, climbers and can even swim!
Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Badger Bulletin
Meet This Year’s Clan This year, we've welcomed another wonderful clan of badger cubs to WAF. Our largest group is made up of four lively youngsters: Spencer, Ginger, Mark and Pippa. Each cub arrived orphaned, weak, cold and vulnerable. They would not have been able to survive on their own... Spencer: Our first cub of the year, found at a golf club out in the blazing sun. He was rescued by Louis, who safely brought him back to WAF, where our team discovered his awful body condition. It was clear his mum hadn’t been around for a while. Ginger: When Ginger arrived, she was collapsed and suffering from hypothermia. Spending her first few days at WAF in urgent care, she was nursed back to good health before joining the clan. Mark: Found orphaned, without his mother, Mark was transferred from another rescue centre to keep Spencer company. Shortly after, the pair were introduced to the clan. Pippa: Pippa was another orphaned cub, brought to us for help. When she first arrived, she was extremely scared, covered in parasites and didn’t eat. Our team then originally paired her with another badger, Jasper, to help her calm down before she joined the clan. Spencer Mark
Pippa
Ginger
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
A Tiny Duo Meet Sian and Jasper, our two smallest badger residents. The pair arrived separately but for the same reason - they were orphaned. Sian arrived, cold, weak, and unresponsive. Our team wasn’t sure if she would make it through the night. But, against all odds, the following morning, she was much brighter and showed a little spark. She even showed an interest in food, although she did mistake one of our vet’s fingers for a tasty snack! Then there was Jasper - non-responsive, hypothermic and covered in parasites. Without immediate care, he wouldn’t survive. Our team knew in that moment that warmth was the first thing he needed. With his temperature so dangerously low that it didn’t register, they instantly began gently warming him, giving his body the support it so desperately needed. After much time and care, Jasper began to respond, and, after a while, was paired with badger clan member, Pippa, before being introduced to the larger group. However, when it was realised that tiny Sian was too small to join the clan, Jasper, only slightly bigger himself, was paired with her, instead. Before long, the two became inseparable, with Jasper helping Sian learn important badger life lessons, build her confidence and, of course, enjoy plenty of playtime. These two enjoy each other’s company so much that they’re often found curled up together in one big, stripy badger ball. Jasper
Sian
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Since Jan 2026, your adoption has helped....
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Badgers Hedgehogs
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o As nocturnal
animals, badgers’ eyesight is better adapted for the darkness of night.
Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Owl Tweets
The Year of the Tawny Owl
In all our years of WAF, we’ve never seen so many tawny owls. This year, we reached a record-breaking number of tawny owls, with a huge figure of fourteen orphans (not including adult tawnies). The patients continuously piled in, each tiny owlet orphaned, cold and hungry. Our fantastic team were swept off their feet, providing round-the-clock care to help these owlets grow strong enough to return to the wild. The owlets were originally paired into groups. To thrive, youngsters benefit hugely from companionship of their own kind, to encourage natural, wild behaviours and prevent them from becoming too familiar with humans. Each group of owlets was filled with many personalities that were impossible not to love. They were cheeky, curious and adorable. It’s safe to say, these tawnies definitely stole the hearts of everyone here at WAF. After a while, the owlets grew into fledglings and with this came a requirement for more space to stretch their wings. Our team decided to integrate the groups and move them all to our small flight enclosure, together. This is a vast, tall enclosure that gave the owlets a chance to practice their flying skills, an important step towards release. After the move, all fourteen tawnies were grouped together, a magnificent sight to see. Here, they could learn skills and behaviours from one another. Eventually, after many weeks, the owlets were released on the 28th July 2026, whereupon they soared into the sky to start their new lives.
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
WHOOO Are You Calling Little? When this little owl arrived, he looked a bit the worse for wear. Found grounded and unable to fly, he was rushed to WAF for help. Our vet, Judith, quickly discovered swelling on his left leg and a deep, painful wound on his back that needed to be sutured. Thankfully, he was in safe hands, as Judith carefully began stitching his wound and administering medication to relieve the pain and support his recovery. Following surgery, he was treated to a well-earned, tasty snack. Still a juvenile, this tiny owl had already reached his full adult size, but what he lacked in height, he certainly made up for in character. After a couple of weeks in care, his wounds fully healed and this little guy was transferred to an expert owl carer to continue his recovery journey. We have high hopes that he’ll soon regain his strength enough to finally take flight once again.
now? k u
Since Jan 2026, your adoption has helped....
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Owls Hedgehogs
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oMost owls are near
silent in flight, thanks to their specially adapted feathers, which muffle the sound of their wings.
Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Deer Daily A Fragile Start, But Bright Future When we received the call that this fawn had been on her own in the blazing sun for ten hours, our rescuer, Louis, rushed to the scene. There he found her, weak, extremely quiet, thin and dehydrated. Knowing she urgently needed care, Louis decided that the best option would be to bring her back to WAF so she could be carefully assessed by our vets. Back in the safety of our hospital, she received a thorough health check, along with nourishing food and vital fluids to help her regain her strength. It is normal for a mother to leave her young for a couple of hours whilst she searches for food. If you find a fawn alone, the best thing to do is to step away and monitor from a distance while you call your local wildlife rescue for advice. Once treated, this gorgeous girl was transferred to the excellent people at Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, who continued her recovery journey.
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Rabbit Report Chocolate Bunnies or Rabbits Covered in Mud? Brought to us by a kind member of the public, this group of kits arrived an unusual colour, covered in a thick sludge. Having been found stranded in a flooded garden, the little kits received a much-needed clean and a thorough check-up from our fantastic vet team, upon their arrival at the centre.
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With no other injuries, no sign of mum, and as they were so young, they were sent to one of our dedicated home carers, where they had the chance to recover their strength and get ready for a second chance back at life in the wild!
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Rabbits perform leaps known as “binkies” when they’re happy. They also have teeth that never stop growing!
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Pigeon Post Muck, Mud and Miracles
As you may be aware, this year has not been short of heatwaves. While the heat may be enjoyable for some, for our wildlife, it can cause serious issues. This little guy was submerged up to his neck, slowly sinking into thick mud, for days. He was found on a ‘pond’ that had completely dried up, leaving only a thick, boggy mess that became a trap for wildlife. Luckily, our rescuer, Louis, reached him just in time. After being swiftly saved from the clutches of the pond, this little pigeon was rushed back to WAF. Upon arrival, the severity of his condition became clear. He was severely underweight, exhausted, and the mud had worked its way into the every barb of his feathers. Our team knew that this guy was going to need plenty of baths to recover. So, they got to work, gently washing the mud away. After some diligent bathing and a well-deserved meal, he was unrecognisable from the mucky pigeon who first arrived! During his recovery at WAF, he became quite the escape artist, making sure everyone knew his time for release had come. Just two weeks later, he was released back into the wild, taking to the skies, once more, as a much cleaner, lighter pigeon.
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Trapped in Tar This poor pigeon arrived with his feathers practically cemented together by thick, black tar. Unable to use his feathers properly and with damage to his wings, every movement would have been painful. In this condition, surviving in the wild simply wasn’t an option. Thankfully, our team was here to help. They gently bathed him in oil to help break down the tar, before giving him a wash with warm, soapy water. This little guy was then placed in a cosy incubator so he could rest and begin his recovery journey. Unfortunately, one bath wasn't nearly enough to remove the thick, sticky tar. It took several careful washes before every last trace was gone. Finally clean and able to preen his feathers once again, he was ready to be released back into the wild. When the time finally came, he wasted no time taking to the skies. Watching him fly away, free from the tar that had once weighed him down, was the perfect ending to his incredible journey.
Since Jan 2026, your adoption has helped....
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Pigeons Hedgehogs
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now? k u Pigeons have the ability to distinguish art styles!
Autumn 2026
Bat Broadcast
Adopt Times
An Unexpected Lifeguard This is probably one of the most unusual resue stories we’ve heard. When a member of the public set out for a relaxing day on their paddleboard, they spotted the last thing they expected to see swimming in the river. This clever little pipistrelle, having crash-landed in the water, with nowhere else to go, swam towards the paddleboarder in search of help. That’s one way to make an entrance. Safely back at WAF, our veterinary nurse, Kayleigh, discovered the pip was coated in a strange, sticky substance. After carefully cleaning him up and confirming he had no other injuries, Kayleigh placed him somewhere warm to recover from his rather unexpected swimming adventure. This little guy was then transferred to a bat expert over at the Surrey bat group to help him continue his recovery journey before his eventual release.
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Autumn 2026
Adopt Times
Adoption Impact At Wildlife Aid, we work with nearly 200 British wildlife species, and your support plays an important part in rescuing and rehabilitating them all. Let's dive into the wild world of some other quirky critters we get to help. When little Ronald arrived, he was in shock, dehydrated, and incredibly quiet. At not even a month old, he had already survived a life-threatening encounter with a cat. Ronald was started on a course of antibiotics before being settled into a warm, safe, quiet enclosure with plenty of food, where he could rest and begin to recover. Since arriving at WAF, Ronald transformed. The frightened, vulnerable little rat who first came through our doors became bright, active and full of life. He recovered so well that he was released shortly after.
This little mole arrived here at WAF after a dangerous encounter with a cat. After being found collapsed, he was rushed to us, where our amazing team could check him over. Worried for his well-being, our team was surprised to find out that this little fighter had walked away with only minor injuries! He was released the very next day, back into the wild!
This beautiful sparrowhawk arrived at our hospital after being struck by a vehicle. Her right eye was swollen completely shut. Our team immediately gave this gorgeous girl pain relief, medication and the expert care she desperately needed. Little by little, she began to recover. In just under two weeks, this sweet girl had transformed into a completely different bird. She was released shortly after, where she soared into the skies.
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Thank you so much for your continued support. If you’ve enjoyed reading our patients’ stories, scan the QR code for more.
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