We want the Government to amend the Veterinary Medicines Regulations to allow qualified wildlife rehabilitators regulated access to essential medicines, and to work with the RCVS to establish a funded framework requiring vets to cooperate with recognized rescues on long-term treatment.

Vets only have to give emergency aid to wildlife, absorbing costs themselves. Due to this and rigid prescription laws, treatable wild animals are often euthanised, even when qualified wildlife rehabilitators are willing to do the care. Strict laws also stop carers accessing basic medications without a vet physically seeing every animal, causing fatal delays. We need government-funded wildlife vet reimbursement, a medication safe-list for carers, and updated RCVS guidance.