How are we helping wildlife?
Under the water
In the wild
In captivity
What to do with orphaned animals
What to do with injured animals
Rehabilitation
Wildlife centres
- East Winch
- Mallydams Wood
- Stapeley Grange
- West Hatch
Wildlife laws

Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Stapeley Grange in Cheshire is the busiest of the four wildlife centres and has been looking after wildlife casualties since it opened in 1994. Every year, the centre treats thousands of animals from north-west England, the north Midlands and north Wales. In 2008 they admitted almost 6000 animals!

The beginning

Stapeley Grange used to be the home of Mrs Cynthia Zur Nedden, a well-known local landowner who devoted her life to caring for sick animals and strays. She was famous for feeding local wild foxes, squirrels and garden birds. When she died in 1990, Stapeley Grange was bequeathed to us to 'establish an animal home and refuge with a clinic'. Following extensive restoration, development and expansion of the Grange and many of the outbuildings, it was opened to patients in October 1994. Since its opening, the centre has dealt with thousands of wildlife casualties and has rehomed over 7500 stray or unwanted cats from its cattery, which is next to the wildlife centre.

Facilities

An x-ray unit and fully-equipped operating theatre, providing the best facilities for diagnosis and emergency treatment.
An extensive range of large pools - including a deep water tank to assess diving ability of cleaned oiled birds - pens, waterfowl paddocks, a bat flight and various aviaries that provide the right conditions and space for animals to recover before they are released.
A specially designed intensive care unit with cubicles of various sizes that can be individually controlled to provide the correct levels of heat, light and ventilation for each animal.
A special unit for cleaning oiled seabirds and waterfowl.
Food storage and preparation facilities to suit the diets of a wide range of wildlife.

Species treated

Polecat being prepared for release with radio tracking. © Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary

Stapeley Grange has lots of experience handling swans, bats and polecats, as well as many other species. The polecats are interesting because they're not very common, so any polecat released by the centre helps their conservation.

Hedgehogs and swans are the most frequent animals admitted, but the centre also sees many birds of prey, garden birds and mammals like badgers, foxes and otters.

Visiting Stapeley Grange

Unfortunately, because welfare of the animals is our priority, we can’t allow the public to tour the centre. Too much human contact can prevent animals from making a full recovery. However, supervised visits to support vocational courses or groups can be booked in advance.