RSPCA Friends of West Hatch Newsletter Summer 2018 | issue 14 | Page 15

Living with wildlife by Llewelyn Lowen As part of the RSPCA’s ongoing commitment to public engagement and the provision of sound, scientifically supported information and advice, the Wildlife Department are responsible for producing guidance materials covering a range of topics relevant to the welfare of wild animals; one of the most extensive factsheet-series we have produced in recent years are the “Living with wildlife” informational guides. Probably the best job of the day was the cat cuddling. We’re not sure who enjoyed it more - them or the cats! We are always looking for businesses to help us out, so if you and your colleagues would like to spend a day giving us a hand, do get in touch. We offer a day of varied practical tasks, tea and coffee on tap, a tour of the Centre and the chance to build a stronger team. Please email [email protected] The RSPCA is opposed to killing or taking wildlife and will always seek to promote non-harmful, humane deterrents in situations where wildlife may be perceived as a problem. Originally, the “Living with…” guides aimed at providing advice for people living in proximity to badgers, foxes, grey squirrels and nesting birds. Since 2015, the department has revamped and extended this series to include bats, hedgehogs, moles, deer, rabbits & hares, mice & rats, reptiles, amphibians, pigeons, gulls, corvids, Canada geese and ‘pond predators’ (specifically covering otters, mink, kingfishers, grey herons, cormorants and grass snakes). In producing these guides, input was sought from organisations like the Bat Conservation Trust, Garden Wildlife Health and the RSPB, in establishing what key issues were faced by the public when living with specific wild species. These factsheets are intended to help people manage and interact with wildlife in a positive and humane manner, particularly those species they may share their garden or home with. The “Living with” series of factsheets can be found on the RSPCA website, along with factsheets on our “Wild birds and netting” and “Wild animals and glue traps” projects; find them at: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/ wildlife/livingwith