Busy start & worrying future....

We have already dealt with quite a few mammals and birds in 2009 so it looks like being a busy year, particularly if we get the good summer (at last) which is being forecast.

Vale's name also seems to be reaching further afield as we are getting an ever-increasing number of calls from people all over the country as well as from vets and other rescue centres and wildlife hospitals seeking advice.

We have had quite a big mention in writer Hugh Warwick's new book 'A Prickly Affair, My Life With Hedgehogs' and have already received calls for advice from people who have read about us in it.

We are always happy to help whenever we can.

My biggest worry at the present time is the credit crunch. Although the takings in our local charity shop are up by about 20% as people are tending to buy more second-hand clothes and other goods, financial donations made to Vale have gone down quite considerably and if the current trend continues it will not take very long for us to start struggling. Although we are grateful to everyone who continues to support us financially, including the anonymous donor who has now sent us 3 donations totalling £720 (thank-you, whoever you are!!), we need all of you to remember our wildlife through these difficult times.