2:00pm Wednesday 28th July 2010
By Emily Roberts
A WILDLIFE hospital has reopened after moving its animal inmates from Overton.
HART Wildlife Rescue relocated to larger premises at Soldridge Business Park in Medstead near Alton and is now ready to take in animals needing help and care.
During the move, 12 hedgehogs were transferred from the rescue centre in Dellands, Overton, as well as 14 birds including young swifts and a jay.
The premises at June and Bob Gibbs’ house and garden in Overton are now permanently closed after being run there for more than 14 years.
The couple devoted their home to saving wild animals and, over the years, shared their house with thousands of injured or orphaned wild creatures.
Mrs Gibbs said: “We had closed the gates and put up a notice to say the hospital had moved and, surprisingly, no-one came.
“It felt very odd after nearly 15 years of dreaming about it and I don’t think I will be able to just drop it.”
There are still some animals left at the couple’s home including several ducks and a goose, which June will care for until they are ready to be released.
Gladys, a partially-blind mallard who helps foster ducklings, is set to become a permanent resident at the new centre, but she is staying put for now until a pond is built.
The new hospital has been converted to include two recovery rooms, an isolation unit and treatment room.
Donations will help with the running costs and can be made through the website hartwildlife.org.uk.
Members of the public must not leave injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife outside the door at Dellands, but should instead contact the new hospital on 01420 562335.
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