Mansfield Wildlife Rescue centre flies the nest after planning approval for new Pleasley Vale shelter

Mansfield Wildlife Rescue received planning approval from the district council on January 11, paving the way for the charity’s move to the former Pleasley Vale plant nursery off Common Lane.

The shelter cares for and rehomes injured birds, hedgehogs, waterfowl and other wildlife, as well as orphaned puppies and kittens and last year took in around 754 casualties, an increase of 681 from 2019.

Founder Cheryl Martins, who has run the operation from her back garden for 18 years, says she will now be able to care for more animals than ever before.

She said: “Whenever we can help, we never turn an animal away and we don’t discriminate against an animal or its species.

“All wildlife regardless deserves a chance at life, there are no vermin in our eyes, just sentient animals with feelings and as much right as humans to be living on this planet.”

The search to find, finance and prepare a suitable new site has taken several years, but Cheryl is hoping that the new rescue centre will now be fully operational before the spring breeding season – usually one of her busiest times.

Set within five acres of woodland, the larger site will enable the rescue to house many more animals, including larger species of deer, adult foxes and badgers.

Its location also means that wildlife that cannot be returned to their original location may be released in the surrounding nature reserve.

Ultimately, Cheryl plans to reopen the nursery’s former café, and use it for fundraising events, and educational programmes for the charity’s volunteers and interested members of the public.

Fundraising is ongoing to complete the refit of the buildings and keep the shelter operational while it is unable to generate income.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so at https://bit.ly/3pojpv0 or through the Mansfield Wildlife Rescue Facebook page.

The charity has been boosted by support from One Voice for Animals UK, a membership group which was launched in April 2020 to support wildlife and domestic animal rescue centres and sanctuaries struggling due to the Covid crisis.

It now represents almost 300 animal organisations, sheltering approximately 22,000 animals.

One Voice founder Val Green said: “Including Mansfield Wildlife Rescue, we have 17 animal rescue organisations from Nottinghamshire in our directory, caring for approximately 1,200 animals between them.

“I am thrilled to hear Mansfield Wildlife Rescue’s great news and know that Cheryl and her team will be able to rescue and rehabilitate even more animals once they move to their new home.”

The One Voice website offers a searchable directory where the animal-loving public can find and support rescues near them.

It also promotes opportunities to get involved, such as knitting nests for baby birds; becoming a volunteer wildlife transport driver, buying and selling to support their local rescue, and fundraising auctions.

For more information, see helpanimals.co.uk.

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