A wildlife centre that cares for thousands of sick, injured and abandoned animals has had to close its doors to new admissions.

The HART (Hampshire Animal Rescue Team) wildlife hospital has been forced to temporarily shut because of increasing demand.
It is the only wildlife care centre of its kind in the county and cares for sick, injured and abandoned animals — such as deer, badgers, foxes and hedgehogs — from across north-east Hampshire.

The charity was founded in 1996 by June and Bob Gibbs as a result of a request from an RSPCA officer to prepare some hedgehogs for hibernation at their semi-detached home and garden at Dellands in Overton near Basingstoke.

However, the number of patients the centre has cared for has grown so much that it has now reached the point where June and Bob’s home can no longer expand to meet the demand. More than 1,000 admissions have come through their front door in recent years, as well as an endless troupe of volunteers who arrive every day to help clean out and feed the centre’s patients.

“The strain of providing such an amazing service to wildlife from one’s own home would have been intolerable for most people long before now and we must be very grateful to June and Bob for keeping it going for so many years,” said David Horner, chairman of the HART trustees.

“Our big concern during this period of closure is not just what will happen to all the sick, injured and abandoned animals the public will want saved, but also how students who have been coming to us for work experience will cope with the news.

“There are very few facilities in Hampshire that can offer the training in wildlife care that HART has provided over the years and work experience is a vital part of their studies.”

For the past five years, HART has been trying to raise funds for a purpose-built wildlife hospital and education centre which is needed to cater for the huge demand.

But planning permission to build on a site in Kingsclere Road, Overton, expired in March and no other suitable land has been found.

]Mr Horner said: “A domestic house and garden is not suitable in the long-term. While a team of fundraisers has been working well for years, the money only covers the running costs of the centre and we are still short of the sum needed to build a new centre.

“We have recently opened a charity shop in Alton and this is proving very successful, but we still need substantial donations before we can proceed with building the new centre.

“Our intention is to keep the fundraising going and find somewhere suitable to build or acquire existing premises.

“The level of demand for HART’s service proves the need for the new centre and our efforts to raise the necessary funds for this.”

HART will continue offering advice and information on wildlife care and rehabilitation through its website.

Casualties should be taken  to a vet, or call the RSPCA on 0300 1234999 for advice.

To donate to HART Wildlife Rescue visit www.hartwildlife.org.uk.