A visit to the Wildlife Hospital

It was the annual opening day of the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital at East Winch, so John and I went there with the express purpose of checking what their real attitude towards pigeon and doves is.

We found a lot of evidence that they care for orphaned wood pigeons and collared doves, and we saw a release aviary in which there were a few juvenile pigeons, some juvenile and adult collared doves and what I thought were two feral pigeons (as woodies panic so easily there were several layers of wiring and netting between us and the birds, so it was difficult to see what was in the aviary).

They had a list of the patients that they had released so far this year and that included 10 pigeons and 17 collared doves...not a very high number considering their size, level of funding and public prescence!

We found nothing at all to suggest that they treated adult pigeons or doves...so in view of that and the rumours that they kill pigeons handed into their care I am going to specify in the resources list that they are suitable only for healthy uninjured squabs. There were, however, various adult swans, geese and ducks being treated there.

One thing really upset me. They had laminated posters with case histories and photos. One of these was about an owl that had been caught on a glue board placed on a factory roof by Rentokil. They said that the owl had ventured on to the board in an attempt to catch other birds that had already been caught, and that on contacting Rentokil they were advised to use cooking oil to remove the glue...not a word about what other birds were trapped or what happened to them or whether they had even considered prosecuting Rentokil! I thought that glueboards were illegal in the UK because I could not imagine that such a cruel tool could be tolerated. There must be a pressure group somewhere that is fighting for these to be banned so I will find it and join it and I will also write to the RSPCA and its various officers.

Cynthia

for sharing your 'eventful' visit with us.

Those glue devices need to be banned entirely.
It makes me sick to think about any animal getting caught up in them.

"There must be a pressure group somewhere that is fighting for these to be banned so I will find it and join it and I will also write to the RSPCA and its various officers."

Please do keep us posted on how things go.

Cindy

This was the Government's stupid response to a petition to ban glue traps:

The use of glue traps / sticky boards is currently a lawful method of pest control. The Government has no plans to ban their sale or use because it is our belief that glue traps/sticky boards are not inherently inhumane. The key elements of use are to ensure that periods between inspections are kept to an appropriate minimum and any animals found on the trap are dealt with quickly and humanely.

However, when choosing to use glue traps instead of other methods (such as spring / cage traps, or poisons), the operator should consider their responsibilities in ensuring that the use of a glue trap does not cause any unnecessary suffering. Once trapped on a glue trap/sticky board the animal may be considered to be under the control of man and hence the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 may apply.

Although glue traps are legal in the UK, the Department considers they should only be used by trained, professional operators as a last resort. All other options for rat/mouse control should have been considered and found to have failed, or to be inappropriate, before the use of glue traps/sticky boards is implemented.

Yeah, like their "consideration" would have any weight when the laws to protect wild animals are flouted by their own departments.

More than stupid...I don't think there's a word though!

What in the world are they thinking?
Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! :For Shame:

Cindy