Whether it is research and studying species like foxes, otters, badgers, etc. or treating/rescuing them the one thing that is missing is the financial support.
I caught the tail end of an interview with some businessman on radio and he was asked about helping the environment and wildlife as a way of giving back to the community. I will paraphrase slightly what he said: "These organisations never contact us -we're here."
To which I have to respond that most wildlife workers/rescues are almost 24 hours a day working to help, treat and catch wildlife that needs help and that is exhausting work and unpaid and often with a family attached to boot. Past experience has shown businesses unwilling to support animal charities because there is "no profit in it" or they just feel "Nothing to do with us". When every hour involves treating animals and trying to get supply donations people at rescues cannot afford time to search out every local business and ask if they would like to financially support them. One had the response "Cheeky cow!" for asking.
Businessmen have staff and those can easily check online for local rescues and wildlife rescuers and offer support for some good publicity.
Oh, I have been down the route of trying to get support for fox research and the responses and been polite "Get stuffed" or "Why would anyone want to study foxes -their vermin" (No, vermin is a hunt word and foxes have never been called vermin by any official body) but the end result is always "Go away".
It's a struggle to get funding to cover costs of fox treatments and even cover fuel costs for a week so if you are a local business or businessman check around and see what local rescues there are. Show you care and PLEASE support them because they are needed.
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