Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary

Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary Providing a rescue, rehabilitation & release service for wild animals in the North East. We care for over 4000 animals every year.

Charity CIO: 1185213

Donation BACs Details:
Name: Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary
SC: 55-81-14
Account no: 86365916

Thank you for your support Registered Charity CIO No: 1185213
We are open 8am till 6pm every day, 365 days a year to rescue and care for all sick, injured and orphaned wildlife from Yorkhire, Country Durham and Redcar & Cleveland.

🦌 WWS Update – Closed to New Admissions Today 🦌Please note that we closed to calls and new admissions today.We have only...
14/06/2026

🦌 WWS Update – Closed to New Admissions Today 🦌

Please note that we closed to calls and new admissions today.

We have only a small volunteer team on site, and those who are here are focusing on the essential daily care of the animals already in our care. With hundreds of wildlife patients and sanctuary animals relying on us every day, their welfare must always come first.

Today's team will be busy feeding, cleaning, administering medication, monitoring vulnerable youngsters and carrying out the many behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the sanctuary running.

This little face is a reminder of why that work matters. Every animal that comes through our doors depends entirely on us for their care, whether they're with us for a few days or many months.

💚 Could you help?
We are always looking for reliable volunteers, particularly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, when additional help is often needed. Whether you can spare a few hours or commit to regular volunteering, your support can make a real difference to the animals in our care.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. We will respond to messages and enquiries as soon as possible.

A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who continue to give their time, whatever the weather, and to our supporters who make this work possible.

Photo: Buddy 🦌💚

14/06/2026

🚨 URGENT APPEAL FOR HONEY 🚨

Many of you will know Honey (and Autumn) one of the cats in our care.

They originally came to us after their owner died. They were rehomed but sadly returned as Honey had suffered a hernia and the new owner couldn't afford the vets bill.

Well, yesterday, Honey suffered yet another prolapse and required an emergency out-of-hours operation. This was her fifth prolapse, despite repeated veterinary treatment, medications, dietary management, faecal investigations and previous surgical interventions.

Sadly, none of these measures have provided a long-term solution.

The only option left was a much more complex procedure, carried out as an emergency, in which the intestines are surgically attached internally to help prevent further prolapses.

We are relieved to say that Honey came through the operation successfully and remained at the veterinary practice overnight for monitoring. She still has a recovery journey ahead of her, but she has shown incredible strength throughout everything she has endured.

As you can imagine, emergency out-of-hours surgery comes at a significant cost. We are expecting her final veterinary bill to be between £1,000 and £1,500.

Honey is only 4 years old, a loving and affectionate cat who deserves every chance at a comfortable and happy future. We felt she deserved this opportunity.

If you would like to help Honey, any donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards her veterinary costs and ongoing care.

💛 Please donate if you can.
Links in comments.
Donations directly to our charity bank account:
Name: Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary
SC: 55-81-14
Account no: 86365916
Or TEXT: WHITBY to 70460, to donate £5 (standard network rates apply)
💛 Please share this appeal
💛 Please keep Honey in your thoughts as she recovers

Thank you to everyone who continues to support animals like Honey when they need us most.

Additional Comment. Although they were not feral cats – which is the type of cat we would normally focus our limited cat resources on – we were in a position at the time to admit them and provide them with a safe place to stay. Since then, we remain committed to giving them the care they need, no matter how challenging that care becomes, until their true forever home comes forward.

📷 Honey after her last vet visit

🐾💛

13/06/2026

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Scalby Close Park and the team at Swanzdale Veterinary Practice for helping these two leverets reach us safely. It was a fantastic example of people coming together to help wildlife in need. 💚

464 Animals in Our Care – And We Need Your Help 🐾Right now, we are caring for 464 animals, including 28 babies requiring...
13/06/2026

464 Animals in Our Care – And We Need Your Help 🐾

Right now, we are caring for 464 animals, including 28 babies requiring intensive care in the dedicated homes of our approved carers.

Every one of these animals needs food, accommodation, cleaning, enrichment, veterinary treatment and daily monitoring. Many require round-the-clock care and specialised feeding.

Recently, we were accused of "refusing gulls". The reality is quite different.

Like all responsible wildlife rehabilitation centres, we have a capacity. Our main bird rehabilitation cabin can only safely accommodate a certain number of patients at any one time. Exceeding that capacity would compromise welfare standards for every bird already in our care.

At present, we are caring for 137 gulls, including 24 tiny gull chicks in our brooder room requiring regular feeds and constant monitoring.

The photographs below are just a small glimpse of the diversity of animals currently in our care:
🦌 orphaned fawns being hand reared
🐥 vulnerable young birds requiring specialist care
🐱 abandoned and orphaned kittens needing intensive support.

Wildlife rehabilitation isn't simply about saying "yes" to every admission. It is about ensuring that every animal already in our care receives the standard of care they deserve.

How You Can Help

❤️ Make a donation, no matter how small.
To donate £5, text WHITBY to 70460. Standard network rates apply.

🛒 Purchase much-needed supplies from our wish list. Link in comments!

🙋 Volunteer your time and skills.

📢 Share our posts to help raise awareness of the work we do.

🎟️ Attend our events and fundraisers - follow the page for updates.

Every donation, share, volunteer hour and kind word helps us continue caring for hundreds of animals each year.

Thank you to everyone who supports Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary. We simply couldn't do this without you.

🐾💚

Meet one of the six fox cubs currently in our care 🦊❤️This little one is one of our latest arrivals and has been receivi...
13/06/2026

Meet one of the six fox cubs currently in our care 🦊❤️

This little one is one of our latest arrivals and has been receiving treatment for mange.

What is mange?
Mange is a skin disease caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It causes intense itching, hair loss, sore and infected skin, and can leave foxes weak, dehydrated, and vulnerable to other illnesses. Without treatment, mange can be fatal.

How we're helping
When foxes come into our care with mange, they receive:
🦊 Experienced assessment and treatment
🦊 Medication to eliminate the mites
🦊 Nutritious food and supportive care
🦊 A safe, warm environment to recover and regain their strength
🦊 Ongoing monitoring until they are healthy enough to return to the wild

This cub is already making progress, but rehabilitation takes time, dedication, and resources.

How you can help
Every fox we rescue relies on the generosity of our supporters.
You can help by:
❤️ Donating to support treatment and care costs (link in comments)
❤️ Visiting and supporting our pop-up shop - Unit 8, Abbey Wharf Market, Whitby
❤️ Donating good-quality items for us to sell online & in our pop up. Visit our online sales group! 🌟WHITBY WILDLIFE ONLINE SALES & AUCTIONS🌟
❤️ Sharing our posts to help spread awareness
❤️ Reporting foxes in need of help to local wildlife rescue organisations

With 6 fox cubs currently in our care and an additional 12 adults, every donation and every share helps us continue giving vulnerable wildlife a second chance.

Thank you for helping us make a difference. 🦊💕

We’ve been in our new pop-up shop for just 1 week, and including the honesty box during the 2 weeks we were setting up, ...
13/06/2026

We’ve been in our new pop-up shop for just 1 week, and including the honesty box during the 2 weeks we were setting up, we’ve raised an amazing £1,227.95! 🎉

After covering our rent, that leaves us with a profit of £1,039 ❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who has visited, shopped, donated, and supported us so far. Every purchase makes a difference, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support. 💕

Unit 8, Abbey Wharf Market, Whitby
Open daily 10.30 till 4

Meet Coco & Bean 🐾These two tiny kittens are currently in our care and being hand reared around the clock.Coco arrived w...
13/06/2026

Meet Coco & Bean 🐾

These two tiny kittens are currently in our care and being hand reared around the clock.

Coco arrived with us a week ago. She was the only survivor of a litter of three orphaned kittens after their young semi-feral mother abandoned them. The mother herself is only a youngster herself and simply wasn't equipped to cope. Thankfully, we stepped in and Coco found her way to us.

Bean arrived just a few days ago after being discovered alone beneath a pallet at a garden centre. With no sign of mum or siblings, he needed urgent care, warmth and regular feeding.

At just 2–3 weeks old, both kittens require intensive care. This means feeding every few hours, day and night, helping with toileting, monitoring weight gain, keeping them warm, and providing veterinary support when needed. Hand rearing kittens is incredibly rewarding, but it is also demanding and time-consuming.

Their stories also highlight the importance of neutering. Every year, countless unwanted and vulnerable kittens are born because cats are left unneutered. Neutering helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces suffering, and eases the pressure on rescues already struggling to cope with the number of cats and kittens needing help.

How you can help:
🐾 Neuter your cats when they are old enough.
🐾 Support our rescue through donations, fundraising or volunteering. Link in comments.
🐾 Share our posts to help raise awareness.

We'll keep you updated on Coco and Bean's progress as they grow stronger. ❤️

🐱🐱💙

13/06/2026

One year ago, Geno and Buck arrived at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary as vulnerable orphaned deer in need of specialist care, safety and a second chance.
As hand-reared deer, their rehabilitation journey was always going to be longer than most. Wild fawns learn vital survival skills from their mothers, including where to feed, where to shelter and how to respond to danger. Without that guidance, orphaned deer require extended rehabilitation to allow them to develop naturally, build their strength and prepare for life back in the wild.
Over the last twelve months, we have watched them grow from vulnerable youngsters into confident, healthy deer. Their journey has involved dedicated daily care, careful rehabilitation and, importantly, the opportunity to remain together throughout their time with us.
Many of you will remember Geno and Buck from their appearance on Countryfile. Their story captured the hearts of viewers across the country and the support they received helped make their rehabilitation possible.
This video follows their journey from arrival to release.
The final footage was taken recently after their release. The pair were given access to a soft-release paddock with safe surrounding woodland, allowing them to explore their new freedom at their own pace. Buck wasted no time bounding through the long grass, full of confidence and excitement. Geno was a little more cautious at first, taking time to assess her surroundings. We stood back, watched and waited. Before long she decided that following Buck's lead was much more preferable and soon joined him, springing through the grass by his side.
Watching them enjoy their freedom together has been one of the most rewarding moments of their rehabilitation journey and a reminder of why wildlife rescue and rehabilitation matters.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Geno and Buck over the last year. Whether you donated, volunteered, shared their story, followed their progress or watched them on Countryfile, you helped make this possible.
💚 How you can help.
Every year, Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary cares for injured, orphaned and vulnerable wildlife. Your support allows us to continue rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing animals like Geno and Buck back where they belong.
Our bank details for donations;
Name: Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary
SC: 55-81-14
Account no: 86565916

Thank you for being part of their story.

🦌 Everybody Meet Pearl 🦌This tiny roe deer fawn has been named Pearl.She was found two days ago, collapsed in the middle...
12/06/2026

🦌 Everybody Meet Pearl 🦌

This tiny roe deer fawn has been named Pearl.

She was found two days ago, collapsed in the middle of a road near Driffield, unable to get herself to safety. Drivers by must have assumed her dead as many drove past. Thankfully a member of the public stopped and got help before it was too late.

Pearl arrived exhausted, dehydrated and extremely weak. Although she is bright and alert, she is still struggling with her legs and can only stand for short periods before needing to lie back down and rest.

As with all young deer, her care is intensive and requires a quiet environment, specialist feeding, regular monitoring and minimal handling to reduce stress. Every day she is receiving supportive care, fluids, warmth, appropriate nutrition and careful observation while we assess her strength and mobility.

At this stage we are taking things one day at a time. The first few days are often critical for young deer, and while she is showing encouraging signs, she still has a long way to go.

Please keep Pearl in your thoughts as she continues her recovery. ❤️

How you can help Pearl and other wildlife patients:

🦌 Donate towards veterinary treatment, medications and specialist feeds. Link in comments.
🦌 Purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist. Link in comments.
🦌 Sponsor one of our rehabilitation enclosures
🦌 Share our posts to help us reach more supporters
🦌 Volunteer with us if you have time and skills to offer

Every animal that arrives through our doors depends entirely on public support. From tiny orphaned birds to fox cubs, hedgehogs and deer like Pearl, your donations make their care possible.

Welcome to the sanctuary, little Pearl. Let's hope the next update shows her a little stronger on her feet. 🦌💕

12/06/2026

🦊 Buddy Update! 🦊

We thought we'd share a little glimpse of Buddy enjoying his evening.

After finishing his evening bottle, Buddy decided it was time to burn off some energy, racing and leaping from one side of his enclosure to the other. Safe to say he was feeling very pleased with himself! His little peeps are quite normal as he wants the company but as a carer, it is essential that human interaction is kept to an absolute minimum. That means food & cleaning only at this stage.

And speaking of proper company for Buddy, check out our page later today as we have other fawn to share with you all.

Seeing this level of activity is exactly what we want to see from a young deer. Strong, energetic, inquisitive and full of mischief – all important signs as he continues his rehabilitation journey.

While he still has a way to go before he is ready for the next stage (the deer garden), moments like these remind us just how far he has come since arriving in our care as a weak newborn, riddled with parasites and dehydrated, 7 weeks ago. Before this stage we are in now , it has been round the clock feeds and toiletting.

The deer garden is getting a spruce up whilst it is empty and we wait for Buddy to grow a little more. We have lovely footage of Geno & Bucks release to share with you also.

Would you like to help Buddy and our other patients?

🦊 Donate towards food, medication and enclosure costs. Charity bank details:
Name: Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary
SC: 55-81-14
Account no: 86365916
🦊 Sponsor one of our enclosures.
🦊 Send supplies from our wishlist, including puppy food, dog food, cleaning products and enrichment items. Link in comments.
🦊 Share our posts to help more people discover and support our work
🦊 Volunteer your time if you're local and able to help

Every meal, every veterinary appointment and every rehabilitation enclosure is funded entirely through donations and public support.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Buddy and all of our wildlife patients. We couldn't do it without you.

Enjoy Buddy's evening zoomies! ❤️🦊

Address

Broomfields Farm
Whitby
YO224NW

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+447342173724

Website

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