For WCB Applicants Who Need More Support, Before They Can Become WCB Holders…

 

 

Sometimes Rescuers apply to become WCB Holders but they have some practices that need to be developed a bit further, to become high welfare enough, or their premises aren’t quite what they need to be, to suitably house the wildlife that they’re taking in.  

 

In these cases, the WCB is NEVER shut to them, but there are few extra steps that have been put in place to support those Rescuers to reach the minimum welfare standards that (we think) all Rescuers should have, before they can become WCB Holders.

 

For those Rescuers for whom we have clear evidence (in advance of their WCB application) of not quite high enough welfare practices or a not quite suitable premises, these are the extra steps put in place to support them to become WCB Holders…

 

• STEP ONE: A vet visit - in person - from their local Vet is required, for them to check around the premises and advise on any potential changes to housing, biosecurity, nutrition etc.  [A report is filled in & sent to the WCB, to suggest which areas could be improved upon.  This is a supportive first step, to enable the Rescuer to know where & how they can improve their premises, housing etc].

 

• STEP TWO: The Rescuer is then supported for 3 months: being mentored by & collaborating with a local WCB Holder (if at all possible) to ensure that fresh, high welfare practices are being put in place and kept to.  [If there isn’t someone local, or if a local WCB Holder feels that the extra work will be too much, we can ask 2 WCB Holders, anywhere in the UK / our Wildlife Care Advisor to support them remotely, asking for pictures/videos/proof of practices when required].

 

• STEP THREE: They need to pass the WCB KA, for all of the species they take in, just like other WCB Applicants.

​

• STEP FOUR: A second vet visit - in person - from the same local Vet as before, is required, to ensure that the premises & housing/practices have been improved upon and appear to be, now, consistently adhered to.  A vet report is filled in (the same vet report, this time, as all WCB Applicants get filled in, to get the WCB) and sent to us.

 

AT THIS POINT, THE RESCUER BECOMES A WCB HOLDER…

 

From now on, as a WCB Holder, the Rescuer must adhere to the same high welfare practices (and the same quarterly checks) throughout the year, as all of the other WCB Holders: they are treated the same way and have access to the same benefits.  If it becomes apparent - as is the case with all WCB Holders - that high welfare practices and a suitable premises are not being maintained after all, they will lose the badge & not be WCB Holders anymore.