Hollytrees Animal Rescue, Birmingham

Hollytrees Animal Rescue Trust is an animal rescue centre based in South Birmingham. What started out as an anti-vivisection group in 1952 has grown into an extremely busy rescue centre, covering all kinds of animal welfare issues, since Ray Dedicoat took over in 1985. As well as taking in neglected or unwanted domestic animals for re-homing, they also take in sick, injured and orphaned wildlife for rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild.

‘Hollytrees gets busier with each passing year, accepting more and more animals into our care. Throughout the year we have many rehabilitation units running, providing shelter and warmth to the patients inside. These range from simple hutches with heat mats or infra-red heat lamps to smaller incubators, including a Brinsea prestige model. This new TLC-50 intensive care unit is an invaluable addition, providing a huge boon to the work we do.

All year round we are inundated with animals, both wild and domesticated, in need of an environment in which they can recuperate and grow. Many different kinds of critters, whether they are wild birds, hedgehogs, squirrels, rabbits or kittens, will eventually be housed in our new intensive care unit. For the sick and injured animals, it is vital that they are kept safe and warm whilst any treatment is administered and for rehabilitation beyond that. Also, from spring through to autumn we are swamped with orphaned wildlife, some less than a day old, whereby it is imperative they are kept warm if they are to make it to adulthood and released back into the wild.

The TLC-50 has many features that make it ideal for caring for animals in need. Especially important to us is evenly distributed heat alongside the accurate temperature control. We regularly get many orphaned baby birds and it is vital that all the chicks in the unit are kept at the temperature needed. Another crucial factor with a recovery unit is its hygiene. Looking after all kinds of orphaned and injured wildlife we never know what each may carry and it is critical that we are able to thoroughly disinfect the unit to prevent re-infection or further contamination in the future. These units are simple to take apart and scrub clean, eliminating this potential issue.’

Ray Dedicoat

Hollytrees Animal Rescue