It’s 100,000 up for the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery in Nantwich.
That’s the staggering number of animals which have passed through the centre in London Road since it opened in 1994.
And it was a tiny blackbird with an infected eye which became the milestone admission to the centre which also celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, centre manager Lee Stewart has been doing a count up of all the animals which have been brought into Stapeley Grange.
Staff and volunteers at the centre are hoping to raise £50,000 this year through a series of fundraising events.
All funds will be used to buy vital equipment for the hospital, to support Stapeley’s education programme as well as to cover the cost of feeding and looking after the animals in their care.
Lee said: “It is amazing when you think about it that such a large number of animals have passed through our doors during the last two decades.
“I originally only had the figures to 1995 – but after further digging I managed to get the 1994 admissions and they revealed we were so close to hitting the 100,000 mark. Then this week it happened.
“It really is quite staggering to think so many animals have been cared for at Stapeley and shows the dedication of staff and volunteers at the centre.
“We can’t save them all obviously and we have to make some very tough decisions.
“But the team works hard to find new ‘forever’ homes for our domestics and exotics and return, where possible, our wild animals back to the wild.
“Stapeley is quite unique. We have a wildlife centre and a separate cattery, we also have excellent facilities for education which are used by the local community and schools.
“We have seen so many animals of all shapes, sizes and species pass through our doors over the years – but the reality is no matter what they are we will always do our utmost to provide them with the very best care.”
Stapeley Grange is the former home of Cynthia Zur Nedden, a local land owner who devoted her life to sick animals and strays.
Cynthia was famous for feeding local wild foxes, squirrels and garden birds.
On her death in 1990, Stapeley Grange was bequeathed to the RSPCA to “establish an animal home and refuge with a clinic”.
The next fundraising event on Stapeley’s busy calendar is a bat walk on May 30, which will include a walk around the grounds of Stapeley and a chance to meet the resident bat species.
Booking is essential so contact [email protected]
Other events include a Summer Open Day on Sunday June 29, a forest sponsored dog walk on August 17, another bat walk on September 25, a black tie dinner and dance in October and the annual Christmas Fair on Sunday November 30.
For more information on fundraising activities or how to get involved, contact Lee at [email protected]
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