Do you know what happens to the stray dogs of Lancaster and Morecambe that are rounded up by the Dog Warden? When you call the RSPCA about young chicks that you have found fallen or pushed out of their nest, do you know what they do with them?
No, neither did Dave Morgan – until he met Stephen Wakelin of Wolfwood – Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and Rehoming of Rescue Dogs…
Wolfwood was set up by Steven Wakelin, a local man born and brought up in the Morecambe area, four years ago in donated accommodation south of Lancaster just off the A6.
“We’re devoted to the rescue and re-homing of the least wanted dogs from the area and are constantly expanding our work with Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation,” a spokesperson for Wolfwood says. “Our district covers Lancaster, Morecambe and the ever –
“We recover orphaned, injured and displaced wildlife, give them sanctuary and nurture them back to health, in the hope that eventually they can be released back into the wild.”
Since opening Wolfwood in early 2007, Steve and his team have seen a steady flow of unwanted and lost dogs, urgently needing new homes, passing through his kennels.
So many in fact, that their facilities and resources of what is a temporary home for the charity, are strained – to put it mildly.
Across the yard is the area where rescued wildlife is housed. The mix is amazing, including hurt and injured hedgehogs, orphaned baby hedgehogs, an injured magpie, injured starlings, two young chicks needing feeding every 20 minutes.
Then over the road is an enclave and pens for recovering wildlife and domesticated animals with every kind of bird, duck, chicken and animal that you can think of getting the best of attention and veterinary help they need until such time as they can be released back into their natural habitat.
In separate fields there are the eight rescue horses and ponies that Wolfwood is permanent home to, and where volunteers built a new stable, to their own design, just in time for them to be snug and warm during last year’s snowy weather.
As you can imagine all of this costs money and, like similar animal local animal charities such as Animal Care, as a charity lots of money is something Wolfwood hasn’t got. So they need help from the generous people of the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
With that in mind, the Bay Veterinary Group are organising a ‘Sponsored Dog Walk’ on 21st August with proceeds being divided between Wolfwood and RSPCA. The event starts at Bay Vets, 12 Market Square Milnthorpe at 1.00 pm and consists of a gentle, hour-long, walk through Dallam Park and surrounding area.
There will also be a raffle and tombola and anyone who would like their dogs to take them for a walk should contact Wolfwood on 015395 62770.
Of course, special events are just one way local people can help Wolfwood. It goes without saying that donations of money and time are of special help. Perhaps you could volunteer to walk the dogs – they love company – assist at the sanctuary or the charity’s charity shop on Bowerham Road. Or you might be able to organise other events and fundraising.
Any amount of time and money donated and raised will help Wolfwood get closer to the one thing that they desperately need – a sanctuary that they own – and which will give them the freedom they need to continue to provide fantastic facilities for animals in need.
Perhaps by your help we can change Wolfwood from Lancaster’s best kept secret to what it surely is – a jewel in the crown.
• If you would like to know more, or can help in any way, contact Wolfwood by email at wildlifeATwolfwood.co.uk, tel: 07931 220 094. Web: www.wolfwood.co.uk.
• Their shop is at Bowerham Road, Lancaster LA1 4BN. Tel: 07971 518 335