Wildlife Rescue Cork

Wildlife Rescue Cork [WRC] is a voluntary organisation set up in 2017 to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured or orphaned Irish wildlife in the greater Cork area, as there is no dedicated Government resource to answer this need. It has been a registered charity since 2020, and we provide a phone and messaging service to the public, vets, and ISPCA in our area, offering to collect and rehabilitate native Irish wildlife free of charge.
Over the years we have dealt with hundreds of casualties across a variety of species, with mammals and birds accounting for most of the effort. The majority of these casualties are a result of “negative human interaction” and are collected by our volunteers and brought to our base in Whitechurch, Co Cork. Our facility is a 10m x 6m shed, with accommodation for multiple species. The shed is equipped with water, power, examination tables, veterinary cages and storage. Outside, there is a dedicated secure private area that contains aviaries, sheds, and enclosures. Animals are assessed to determine if veterinary help is required. If so, then we use a network of local vets with whom we have built a relationship, to help out. If a vet is not required, then we look after the needs of the animal until it is healthy enough to survive on its own back in the wild. It can be a little as a couple of days food, rest and shelter, or several weeks of medical care and attention.
We have an annual license from the National Parks & Wildlife Services [NPWS], and have inspections at short notice from both them and from Dept Agriculture Food & Marine [DAFM] to check on our facilities, records, and our procedures.
We limit ourselves to native wildlife, apply a “hands off” approach as much as possible, and in the interests of the animal, we are not open to the public.
In 2023 18% of our funding came from Central Government. The remainder was raised by our volunteers, from the public, the corporate sector and from private donations.
The work is rewarding and is not being replicated by too many organisations in Ireland. We are making a difference, and have been heartened by the support of the public since our inception. Whilst we face challenges, with demand increasing as the public become more aware of our services, and wildlife continues to come off worse when it interacts with human society, we believe that with the proper help, we can meet these challenges and help protect Irish native wildlife.