AVIAN FLU UPDATE - 24/12/24

Last night Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) raised their wild bird AI risk level to "very high" from "high".

In order to protect our resident wildlife from the increased threat of avian influenza entering our sites and the risk of long term closure, which would impact 1000s of animals (including mammals), we have taken the really difficult decision to close to high risk species including ducks, geese, swans, gulls, pheasants and some BoP (buzzards, peregrine falcons and kites).

With this in mind we ask all members of the public to contact the centre before travelling to us. We will support the public as best we can during this difficult period, via email stapeley@rspca.org.uk or during office hours, see below.

We are monitoring the situation closely and will re-open to the above high risk birds, as soon as we possibly can. All other birds, considered medium and low risk, will still be admitted.

NOTE: We are hopeful to have new facilities within the next six months that will allow us to admit higher risk species when we are under APHA restrictions, albeit at limited numbers.

Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Stapeley Grange is one of four RSPCA wildlife centres based in England that supports the rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated wildlife.  Stapeley Grange is based just outside Nantwich, Cheshire.

We admit animals from south of the Scottish Border to south of Birmingham, into North Wales  and across to Lincolnshire. In 2019 we received over 6,000 admissions, including wildlife, exotic and domestic casualties.  Due to Covid 19 and Avian Flu numbers are lower than normal.

National Control Centre

Call our cruelty line only to report cruelty, neglect or an animal in distress on 0300 1234 999 between the hours of 8am to 8pm.  The call will cost the same as any call to a UK landline number.

Please read our advice on orphaned wild animals and injured wild animals before contacting us about them.

Stapeley Grange is open for the admission of wild mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in need of care. 

We are open 8am - 8pm, 365 days a year (8am-5pm on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day)

Office hours

Our office team are availbale Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm for advice - 0300 123 0722.  Please email us on stapeley@rspca.org.uk out of the hours and we will pick up as soon as we can.  If it is an emergency please call our a national call centre on 0300 123 4999.

Visiting Stapeley Grange

Our site is NOT OPEN to the general public apart from dropping off injured wildlife at the wildlife centre. The welfare of animals is our priority so we can't allow tours of the wildlife centre as too much human contact can prevent animals from making a full recovery.

We do however arrange restricted access guided tours around the Centre at our Summer One Fun Day and Christmas Fair events.

Our relocated RHS garden is open to the public during spring and summer events - please keep an eye on our Facebook page.

Stapeley Grange Community Education Hub   

The Stapeley Grange team provide animal welfare education for a wide range of community settings, from early years and nurseries, to primary and secondary schools, college departments and community youth groups. We invite groups on site for immersive animal welfare learning and we can also visit you in your own setting to deliver assemblies, workshops and community action for animals.

If you have an education enquiry please contact our Community Engagement Manager by email: evie.astbury-field1@rspca.org.uk and she will put you in touch with the best member of the education team to support your request.

Stapeley Grange Newsletter

Why not check out our anniversary winter 2024 newsletter, which can be downloaded as a PDF. 

Wildlife Courses (postponed until Autumn 2025)

The Stapeley team will be running face to face wildlife courses for those involved in wildlife rehabilitation in 2025.  We will also be running wildlife webinars for vets and vet nurses so please keep an eye on our facebook page for more information.  For more information or to get yourself on the mailing list please contact: lee.stewart@rspca.org.uk