Stafford wildlife rescue centre gets £1,500 boost for animal care
The donation will help cover specialist food and care for more than 2,000 animals a year
A Stafford wildlife rescue centre has received a £1,500 donation to help care for sick, injured and orphaned animals.
The British Wildlife Rescue Centre, which is based near the Bertelin Fields development, said the money would help meet the rising costs of caring for wildlife during its busiest time of year.
The centre cares for more than 2,000 animals each year and its workload increases significantly during spring and summer, when it looks after large numbers of young birds and mammals.
Manager Abby Gower said the donation would make an "immediate difference" to the animals in its care.
She said specialist diets were needed for a wide range of species, including live food for baby birds and specialist milk formulas for orphaned mammals such as hedgehogs.
"Every species has different nutritional requirements, and providing the correct food is an essential part of giving these animals the best possible chance of recovery and release," she said.
The donation was made by Barratt Homes through the Barratt Redrow Foundation's Community Fund.
Ms Gower said donations were vital to the centre's work, particularly during the spring and summer months when food bills and other running costs increase.
She added: "Their donation will help us continue providing essential care to wildlife in need and allow more animals to recover and, wherever possible, return to the wild."
The centre opened its doors in 1991 and has continued to grow over the past three decades.
Barratt Homes said its support was intended to help the charity continue caring for Staffordshire's wildlife.
The housebuilder also said its Bertelin Fields development includes measures intended to support local wildlife, including hedgehog highways, ponds, wildflower meadows and 43 acres of public open space.