About Us
- Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue is a fully voluntary organisation, founded by Zoologist Dr Sasha Norris and is run together with expert rehabilitator and local business owner, Mrs Jacqui Mayne.
- The project is run under the auspices of registered charity Siren Conservation Education, no. 1083256.
- Combining their knowledge of animal behaviour and British conservation, with the skills and knowledge of local veterinary surgeries and other wildlife carers, HWR aims to give wildlife the best possible care, operating within DEFRA rules and guidelines and with absolute focus on animal welfare and successful release wherever possible.
- HWR also provides disabled animals with sanctuary in their 30 acre organic small-holding when they cannot be released. We aim to get all wild animals back to the wild and where possible reunite adult animals with their families and territories by releasing them back where they were found.
- We retrieve wildlife from dangerous situations and will always try to collect from people who are without transport. Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue has collected animals from organisations as diverse as Hereford Cathedral to Barons Cross pub, Bulmers and Byeford campsite.
FOR HELP WITH AN INJURED ANIMAL PLEASE TEXT 07802460884 OR 07814772230
Dr. Sasha Norris,
Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue was founded by Zoologist, Dr Sasha Norris in 2008.
Her qualifications include:
First Class degree in Zoology from The University of Bristol
PhD (D.Phil) in Animal Behaviour from The University of Oxford
First Class Masters degree in Creative Writing (2022) Somerville College, Oxford.
As a child Sasha spent hours in her Grandparent's garden in Whitecross area of Hereford watching hedgehogs snuffling in the lawns and mosquito larvae swimming 'their exquisite sideways motion' in the pond. She says she cannot remember a time when she wasn't innately, utterly enraptured by animals.
She has worked in television, print, online and radio to invite people to better understand and protect wildlife. She was the co-editor of the Oxford University Press 'Encyclopedia of Mammals', the author of 'SuperKids, 200 Ways for Kids to Save the World', and 'Africa our Home'. She has presented alongside Bill Bailey and Chris Packham in major Channel Four and BBC series as well as producing and presenting her own show, 'Wild' on The Oxford Channel. She has ten years of experience of rehabbing wild animals ranging from blue tits to badgers. Sasha is often assisted by her daughter Lily and her son Salvador at the rescue and in the grounds.
Jacqui Mayne
Local business co-owner and expert rehabilitator Jacqui Mayne joined Sasha in 2014 to co-run Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue.
Sasha and Jacqui met taking their daughters to ballet in Hereford, when Sasha explained that she had baby rabbits in her car and how in order to survive to adulthood, they needed to eat their own faeces and populate their guts with healthy bacteria (don't try this at home).
Jacqui had grown up in Dorstone, Herefordshire, with a fox in her house, had spent 8 years volunteering for Cat Protection, had reared a baby wood pigeon the previous year in her downstairs bathroom and had a huge amount of experience with animals of all types.
Jacqui's daughter, Emma, who often assists Jacqui gained the Best Graduate in her Animal care course at Holme Lacey College in 2018. Her daughter Holly and husband Chris Mayne who co-run their family business C.M. Coatings, also contribute huge amounts to the rescue, including perfectionist Chris building incredible aviaries and enclosures to house all the waifs and strays.
Both Jacqui and Sasha fund considerable part of the project themselves, both financially as well as by giving their own time. They are supported by a whole raft of talented and dedicated volunteers and donors who make the project possible, some of whom you will see pictured throughout the website.
Projects
The Grounds and Gardens
Volunteer Opportunities
HWR work closely with Holmer and Vets for Pets veterinary surgeries. We are deeply grateful to these vets and all those vets across the county and beyond who commit their time and skills for free to helping wildlife, who have no bank accounts and no way of paying the bill.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Grounds and Gardens
Volunteer Opportunities
HWR has live in volunteers organised through the website 'Workaway', as well as local people who help in many different ways.
The Grounds and Gardens
The Grounds and Gardens
The Grounds and Gardens
HWR is set in 30 acres of organic wildlife reserve owned by founder Dr Sasha Norris. The animals benefit from a wholly rural setting surrounded trees, lakes, ponds and gardens. The grounds over look Bodenham Lake. The plants that overflow the gardens are used for bedding, forage and enrichemnt for the rescued animals.
Building and maintenance
Building and maintenance
The Grounds and Gardens
HWR need continual help with maintaining enclosures, aviaries and the grounds in North Herefordshire as well as fencing, fixing and gardening. Please do get in touch if you have time to spare and are skilled in these areas. However, please be aware that you will need to be self-motivated, organised and willing to help as the charity is always working at capacity.
Success Stories
Building and maintenance
Success Stories
HWR has successfully returned hundreds of wild animals back to their homes following veterinary treatment, nursing care, rehabilitation or hand rearing. The best way to keep abreast of our work is to follow us on social media, especially Facebook and to follow Dr Sasha Norris's writings.
Contact Us
Building and maintenance
Success Stories
Have a question or want to learn more about what we do? Get in touch with us today and we'll be happy to help.
