IT'S SO EASY...

We get a lot of enquiries about how to have the WCB.  The first thing to know is that you can get the RR&T Badge totally anonymously and with a lot of support.  You can just look forward to announcing that you have it.  This isn't about us/anyone judging Wildlife Rescues/Rehabbers, it's about all of us standing up together for the rights of wildlife to the same level of care that we expect for ourselves and our pets...  We all matter equally...

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We're all in this together.  Feel free to ask us ANY questions (we can even have a zoom call) about getting the WCB.  (It can be 100% anonymous).

THERE'S 4 STEPS TO GET THE RR&T BADGE...

APPLY FOR THE RR&T BADGE

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A​ Wildlife Rescue/Rehabber applies for the RR&T Badge by filling in this FORM.  This makes sure that you're in the WCB database, so that we can help you to get the RR&T Badge as efficiently and easily as possible.  The next step is signing up for your KA (with any 'unsupervised' staff/volunteers who might need to do it too, see below)...

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KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENTS

RR&T Badge Holders prove your knowledge & experience by sitting either a 1hr or 90mins (depending on how many species they rehab) online quiz.

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The KAs can be held on Zoom or via another video service, like Facebook Video Call.  They can be done by signing up for one of the GROUP EXAMS or by using the same FORM to request either your own one-to-one KA or to ask to book in a time that is just for your Rescue staff/volunteers to do your own separate KA, away from other Rescues/Rehabbers.

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On a very practical level, here's what taking the KA is like...  You log onto a Zoom or other video call.  When we're on the call, I send you another link to open (an online quiz) and you just sit there and tick multiple choice questions on the species you care for.

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It's that simple.

VETERINARY VISITS

You invite either your Vet Surgeon OR a RVN who works with your Vet Surgeon, to come and visit/check your premises.  

(If you are a new Rescue/Rehabber and are looking to build a relationship with a new Vet Practice, to get started, please feel free to CONTACT the WCB to ask for the 'Vet Support Package', offering advice on reaching out and building a relationship with your local Vet Practice).  If you need extra support, just ask for help at alana@wildlifecarebadge.com.

A Vet/RVN either visits the Rescue/Rehabber premises in person or does a video call where they are walked around the premises.  They go through a checklist (provided by us) to help them know what to look for and what to ask you.  Check out the FAQs to see examples of the checklists/questions.

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ONGOING ACCOUNTABILITY

When a Rescue/Rehabber gets the RR&T Badge, we just require ongoing accountability...

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This requirement has 2 goals and should take around 5 minutes every quarter (every 3 months) to achieve: 1. To ensure the very best care of our UK wildife casualties. 2. To build badly needed transparency and trust between our UK Wildlife Rescuers & Rehabbers.

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[Q. Why is it being asked for and why is it so essential?  A. It is essential because almost everyone can START well but then fail to MAINTAIN high welfare practices over time.  Almost anyone can make one big effort to have a clean, orderly premises for their Vet visit and they can start off as a Badge Holder who takes wildlife casualties to their Vets whenever needed too.  They can even have the best of intentions with regards to keeping records, in the excitement of applying for and receiving the WCB.  The hard part is maintaining high standards, especially when it’s very busy (this is when a Rescue/Rehabber can start to fall behind on keeping records or can even start to avoid the cost of taking casualties to their Vets, both for assessment and to be given the right, legal medication, because the fundraising for Vets bills feels too difficult).  And when Rescues/Rehabbers start to neglect these practices (that are essential in offering high welfare care) of course they are aware that they are letting the animals down and so they claim that they are a Rescue/Rehabber who of course keeps excellent records (and perhaps they even claim to be a Rescue/Rehabber who works side by side with their Vets in all matters) but at the end of the day, as no one is asking for proof of high, continual conditions, it's the wildlife casualties who suffer.]

The 2 month accountability was debated a lot across hours of meetings - by Vets, Rescues & Rehabbers - as the WCB was developed - and only takes 5mins.  It will be documents that you already have, that you just need to attach and send us copies of (blacking out any GDPR sensitive information).

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RR&T Badge Holders will upload through this FORM (every quarter) the following...

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A. Admission records for the last 3 months (nothing complicated, just what’s come in and why AND we ask you to blank out/remove any GDPR sensitive material, like names, addresses, donations etc).  This is also a unique opportunity for research - if all Rescues/Rehabbers agree for their admission records to be collated - to create a hub of knowledge across the UK....
B. Proof of working with a Vets over the last 3 months. Just attach a picture of either.... Vet bill / Consult notes / Signed letter from Vets etc...  [Now, if you are are Hedgehog Rescue, for instance, and you don't need to see your Vet over the quiet months, all we need is a quick sentence from your Vet - that all Vets so far seem very happy to provide, as there is a lot of Vet support, for the WCB - letting us know that they are still happy and confident in your working relationship.]

C. Notes for 1 of your cases - Admission info, plan of action for that animal and outcome. (Just to show that info is being kept about the casualties).