Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue has announced plans to construct a purpose-built wildlife hospital in South Oxfordshire after acquiring land in Sutton Courtenay.
Founded by Luke and Ruth in 2018, the charity provides emergency care for sick, injured and trapped wild animals.
Its operations are currently based at a small casualty and rehabilitation centre in Blewbury, which the organisation says has become insufficiently large to meet demand.
Founder and chief executive Luke Waclawek said the project follows a pledge made during lockdown in 2020 for Oxfordshire to have a dedicated wildlife hospital.
After almost two years of attempting to secure suitable land, the charity has become the owner of a site in Sutton Courtenay.
Supporters raised more than £100,000 towards the land appeal, while several individual stakeholders also provided assistance.
The proposed hospital will be built on land south of Hobbyhorse Lane, although construction has not begun and no opening date has been set.
Facilities are planned to include on-site triage and veterinary services, specialist patient wards, a nursery and early-care provision for young animals, aviaries, waterfowl areas and rehabilitation spaces for mammals.
The development will also include specialist hedgehog care.
Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue cared for 153 sick or injured hedgehogs in August, the highest number of patients recorded for a single animal group.
The charity also intends to provide professional development and training opportunities for veterinary and animal-care students.
Waclawek described this work as equally important to the rescue’s current activities.
The announcement comes as the Blewbury centre has remained at full capacity since the end of September and is closed to new animal admissions.
Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue is seeking business and construction partners, fundraisers, volunteers and sponsors to assist with the hospital project.