Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue encouraging through knowledge a natural balance

We are run by a dedicated and reliable team of volunteers. All our volunteers give up their precious time to help wildlife. Our small group is really diverse and comes from a multitude of back grounds and experiences but are united in a common cause, which is their concern and commitment to Wildlife and its conservation. Our team is awsome.

 

Brian

A vital part of our rescue who makes wildlife "Rock" just a little bit more.

 

Anne

Since ever I can remember I have always had a passion for wildlife. Whilst spending almost my entire working life in construction I have been able to combine aspects of my design to incorporate and respect our wildlife and the environment. I see a lot of suffering and thoughtless destruction of the spectacular wildlife that we share our planet with. I encounter wildlife injuries that at best occur through our carelessness and ignorance and at worst through deliberate cruelty. The hierarchy of wildlife in some people’s minds enables them to poison a bug yet preserve a deer. The simple facts are if we destroy our insects there will be no deer or indeed no us.

One morning a long time ago walking my dog early one morning I found an injured hedgehog that was caught in a fence. His leg was bleeding. I took the hedgehog to the vets expecting that to be the end of it. The vet asked me to keep the little hog and give him antibiotics which I did but by the end of the week another hedgehog and an owl arrived just needing a little TLC too, that was over twenty years ago and and i guess the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the last twenty years have seen a steady increase in sick animals. By sick I mean weak and suffering wildlife that has been poisoned directly or indirectly. Science and studies show us that these symptoms can relate to toxin build up from pesticides. They cause a suppression of the immune system and therefore an inability to fight any illness and in some cases directly lead to death.

I will always continue to care for wildlife on the front line and give our spectacular wildlife a second chance. Simple injuries can kill a creature in the harshness of the wild and often a few days rest and TLC will be enough to see them given that vital second chance.

We must create a greater understanding of the creatures around us that live with us in a natural balance. The school projects, which I personally love, reach the children that will inevitable control our planet. My hope and belief is that they will explore this issue at a young age, as I did, and that the awareness of it will stay with them for life. When they become custodians of our planet I hope that they will help preserve this wonderful and spectacular wildlife far into the future.

With species in the 20th century ashamedly extinct or facing extinction we all need to do our part to encourage understanding and balance through knowledge of our truly extraordinary and unique wildlife, I am doing my part.

 

Things I excel at

Caring for orphans whilst preparing for responsible release and full integration into wild and getting the job done.

 

Not so good at

Typing too fast and not reading through after, remembering what sex the creatures are, in fact memory in general and Time keeping is really pretty poor

 

Hazel

Hazel has had a life long passion for wildlife since her parents were well known around their home area as the place to take orphaned and injured wildlife. So Hazel grew up thinking it was quite normal to have an apron with pockets full of baby squirrels and to go to the airing cupboard to find “smalls” of the furry kind as well as laundry.

With a background of both parents being nature photographers, maternal grandfather and one uncle being naturalists and authors, and both paternal grandparents and one uncle, vets (Gran being first female to qualify as a vet in the UK), it is no wonder she has combined wildlife with veterinary work.

Hazel has a degree in Zoology, 11 years experience in private practice and 7 years in a large wildlife hospital as a veterinary nurse.

 

Things I excels at: Miraculously mending fractured wings! Suturing wounds and persuading recalcitrant orphans to feed. Keeping calm.

 

Things I am not so good at: Suffering fools gladly - well not so much fools as gross ignorance. Prefers to be behind the scenes than ‘meeting and greeting’ the public.

 

See Hazel's Adventures Hazel in Peru and Hazel in Thailand

 

Jackie

 

Hi, I am Jacky and the daughter of a farming family. Ever since I can recall I have been obsessed with animals. As a little girl I was for ever telling my parents they couldn't go to work, while I was at school, because they had to look after a guinea pig or rabbit who was unwell or a cat or dog I had found as a stray! I cannot remember a time when my home did not include animals. I am particularly passionate about our British Wildlife. For many years I have worked as a volunteer for a wonderful wildlife hospital, whose owners have now semi-retired to care for resident animals unable to be returned to the wild. This is how it all started, with the fostering of fox cubs! My meeting with Anne was wonderfully fortuitous. I was searching for a safe release site for cubs I had been nurturing and who could not be released close to home due to it being unsafe. Anne came to my rescue, taking the cubs on and ensuring their safety and future welfare. I am a number one fan of the fantastic work Anne does at the Hospital and it is a privilege and honour to volunteer along side her.

 

Things I excell at:- Organising and planning on a daily basis but most especially nurturing and caring for fostered wildlife babies.

 

Things I am not so good at:- Accepting the death of a creature that has fought so bravely to survive. The many injustices in the world and particularly relating to children and animals.

 

NIcKI

 

john

 

 

natalie

 

I am currently studying a foundation degree in Animal Management at Merrist Wood. I’ve been a guildford gal all my life and have always had a house full of animals including 27 rabbits, 2 house rabbits, 2 bearded dragons, 2 guinea pigs, 8 hamsters, 2 chinchillas, tropical fish, goldfish, a ridgeback and I now breed Newfoundlands...so I have a pretty mad household - much to my mums dismay. I’ve always had a passion for animals and jumped at the chance to be able to volunteer for this charity. Since starting I’ve had an amazing time and every day is completely different, everything from cute and cuddly fox cubs to a crow that has decided your hair is a nest. I have a massive phobia of cows after being chased by a herd of them and having to pick up my friends dog and leg it and run a mile if I see a spider or DaddyLongLegs. My favorite animals are Gorillas and hedgehogs and I want to spend a month in an Orangutan sanctuary in Borneo soon.

 

I excel at: being patient with the animals brought in and puzzle solving. Spending ages attempting to teach Coco the Macaw amusing phrases.

Not so good at: Cleaning out pigeon cages, no matter what method I try they will fly out and around the room. I am even less talented at catching them...

 

 

 

DOREEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike other people who get involved with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation I wasn’t as enamoured of animals when I was growing up. I always had dogs and cats and loved them dearly, but only became interested in wildlife when I moved to the UK from the US in 2005. As compared to where I lived in the US, my back garden here is like a mini nature reserve! I see foxes, woodpeckers and other birds, mice, squirrels, and even the occasional sparrow hawk! In trying to find a cure for the mange that was plaguing my beloved garden foxes I was directed to Anne Brummer and Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue. At that moment, when I found out that there were actually people out there who cared for injured and orphaned wildlife I knew I had to get involved! One of my passions is teaching people about the wildlife that inhabits their gardens and local nature reserves. I also think it’s important to redress what humankind is doing to this planet. We are here to share this earth with our wildlife. Seeing an animal recover from a traumatic injury or watching orphans grow up to be released back into the wild where they belong is a thrilling and life-affirming event. My favourite animals are foxes, slow worms and hedgehogs, but they are all wonderful and I am pleased to help them all as much as I can!

Things I excel at - Public speaking, fox wrangling, cutting up towels and doing whatever I can to help. I am a very organized person.

What I am not as good at – Sometimes I am impatient (who wouldn’t want an animal to recover quickly?) and there are times when I fear the worst, but am relieved when I find out things will work out just fine!

KEVIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first animal rescue was a nest of house-martins that fell from the eaves of the house. Actually, as I was only 10 at the time I didn't do much beyond holding the ladder for my dad, and my younger brother donated a felt hat as a substitute nest but it was a start!
I love gardening and I have built water features at three different houses. I haven’t managed to build one where I am currently living but I plan to. It’s relaxing to sit next to a pond with the sound of running water and watching the frogs and other creatures that inhabit it.

My favourite wild animals are squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs and owls.

I am an engineer by profession, currently in software but also previously in electronics. Since I work in an office environment, I enjoy getting out in nature. I believe that non-human entities (like our wildlife) are as much spiritual beings as we are and that they deserve our respect.

 

Things I excel at: I am generally good at problem-solving, and when a specific fox needed medication recently I built a device to dispense medicated food by remote control (pulling a string) when that fox was in position to be fed. I don’t panic about things I cannot change.

 

Things I don’t excel at: I sometimes take too much time analysing options. I am not good at writing about myself.

 

Karen

 

I did 22 years in the army, For 12 years I was a stressed out transport operations manager and decided to leave and repay my cats toll on the wildlife. I found Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue . I am a lot less stressed but do get bitten a lot and I don’t know why. No one else does . I am good at releasing birds.

 

Gary

 

I like all the wildlife that comes in; My favorites are the young squirrel. I became particularly attached to Emily a tiny fawn who came to us as an orphan. I am experienced and brilliant joiner and am able to help here by creating unique cages. The best bit is seeing them go free. I am single and looking for a nice girlfriend.

 

Things I excel at
Building cages and adapting them for the needs of the inmates Talking and drinking at the same time.

Things I am not so good at
Terrified of Snakes and I have nightmares about being chased by Badger and peacocks.

 

 

 

Ray

 

My profession is a chartered builder, but my passion is wildlife.
Ever since watching David Attenborough on the telly when I was a mere fledgling I have had an interest in life on our planet.
The word WILDLIFE is a misnomer, in fact most 'wildlife' are timid and vulnerable creatures. Mankind is the only species that has compassion within its make-up. I believe in using this to help all creatures on this planet. Although we should wherever leave nature to run its true course I feel that mankind has in many circumstances disrupted that natural way of things and therefore should help to re-address the balance wherever possible.
My involvement with the HAWR is I hope helping in some small way in taking sick animals and returning them healthy and fit back to their natural habitat and thus giving some input towards promoting our wildlife towards a sustainable future in their natural environment.

Although I must admit it is great just to hold any one of sick creatures when helping them back to health. Completely an unnatural part of the the natural scheme of life - but its a big bonus.
At home I have 'adopted' a family of door mice. Every night they scuttle from the shed to the greenhouse and back. Much to the annoyance of my cat who watches for hours on end but never sees them.

Things I excel at :- being patient, solving problems,

Not so good at :- lazing around doing nothing

 

Sandra

I am impatient, tend to go on and on but that’s because I am passionate about what I do, can get on people’s nerves and drive them mad, well that’s in keeping with what my family think anyway. Not so good at
Things I excel at - not sure but will give 200% when asked and do anything. I am dedicated and will try not to let people down.
I found Harper Asprey Wildlife and Anne after making several telephone calls regarding a sick fox. Without hesitation Anne came to help and gave advice. It was great to find someone who is so dedicated and gifted, I have learnt a lot about our wildlife, it made me think that I might be able to help. My family have always thought me a bit strange and all have now agreed that I have lost the plot – GOOD. I just love animals, they are an important part of our world and when I left school I really wanted to be a vet but unfortunately it was not meant to be. I hate and despise all forms of hunting and cruelty; I fail to see what pleasure is gained by hurting something that is living, I just don’t understand their mentality. In fact I prefer animals because they have always responded to a little kindness. Unfortunately mankind takes and never thinks about the consequences of their actions which is why our planet is in such a mess. I have started telling my grandchildren about our wildlife and the importance of preserving what we have, although they are very young I think they should be made aware, they are our next generation.

 

Ross

 

I have helped at Harper Asprey Wildlife rescue for 10 months now and I am really enjoying it. I am very good at sweeping and washing the floor and am not very good at answering the telephone, But I enjoy watching the animals get better and get released back into their habitat. I first joined Harper Asprey because my current college Farnborough Sixth Form recommended I do Voluntary work and I chose this and I’m glad I did.

 

Terina

Always loved nature and animals, used to live in a house surrounded by woods on 3 sides when a child

so that was the start. I have my own horse who has taught me to listen to her, which helps with understanding any animal.

I have been known to come back from a ride with an injured bird down my jacket or in my pocket depending on size. We have cats and the down side is trying to rescue the birds and mice they have caught!

I do quite well with keeping slightly injured or shocked birds and then after a week or after they have had a test flight in the lounge they are released.......... otherwise I clean them up and deliver them to Anne!

We have the perfect box for catching mice which the cats have brought in to the house, the times we have come home and there is one sitting on top of my curtains with the girls sitting looking up!

We have a nature pond at home and for me it is a real thrill that newts have made it their home and breed there.

Through Anne I have had so much therapy close up to the animals that I have before this only seen at a distance, I am still on a high!

 

Things I excel at..................

Good at distributing, if I do not know the answer I know someone who does, will help with any thing that is on the agenda, do not mind getting dirty (I am most of the time any how), get things done soon after I have been asked........ only so I do not forget what I have promised.

 

Things I don’t excel at

Impatient, do not read instructions until it does not work, I asked Martyn what he thought BUT he was not brave enough to tell me

 

jake

 

Martyn

I enjoys doing things for nature, I have put numerous bird boxes up around our home and down at our field, we also have bat boxes around the barn... the owl box is yet to go up!

I have made some mean bird feeders which IS squirrel proof, which is an achievement.

We have a good number of visiting deer down at the field which is always a pleasure, we have had a roe deer leave her twins in our hay field when they were newly born which make us feel we are getting something right.

We feed the foxes, not sure how many visit but we did have one gutsy character how would lie down and wait for us if we were late, gave us a good feeling that he was so chilled with us. We did have a family of foxes at the back of the field she obviously knew the shops were not too far away.

It is lovely that the wild life share our field with us

 

What I excel at........................

Good with his hands, cares about all nature and how we impact on it, good imagination for sorting out problems, willing to help with things he believes in.

 

What I don’t excel at .................

Impatient, I take a couple of attempts to get an idea right and then I throw things when things do not go to plan and get frustrated.

 

 

Sally- Ann

My parents moved to Norfolk from Essex just before I was born. I grew up in a little village near Norwich about 15 mins from both the Norfolk Broads and the nearest Beach. My Primary school was very keen to teach us all about the local Wildlife and used to take us on regular field trips and days out teaching us all about the nature that surrounded us and my mum used to take in local injured/abandoned wildlife and teach my sister and I how to handle the animals and young birds - she has always had a love and understanding of all animals and now makes fabric nose bands for WSPA to help prevent the working horses/donkeys suffering cuts and grazes to their noses from their harnesses.
Our home life was loving, kind and filled with numerous pets. At one point we had 2 cats (one of which was a stray, she had appeared on my parents door step in Essex and never left!) 9 Guinea pigs, 3 rabbits, numerous fish, various hamsters and 3 dogs (one mad but gentle Springer Spaniel and 2 rescued dogs which had a various "issues" - they first brought my attention to the plight of so many abused and abandoned animals, not just physical injuries but emotional scars too) Not to mention the hundreds of birds outside, I think the whole Sparrow population currently resides in my parents back garden!!
When I moved to Surrey 2 years ago with my Fiance I felt very unsettled, I adored the Surrey Countryside (totally different to the flat landscapes of Norfolk) but I missed having animals in the house - it is difficult to have pets when you are both out at work all day and although we soon created a Wildlife hot spot in our garden and were visited daily by friendly Squirrels, Slow worms, various Birds and a completely adorable Wood mouse, I still felt a bit lost... I found the house so empty that we adopted a Hamster and he must be the most spoilt animal in Lightwater! But I still longed for more and I felt motivated to lead by example and do some volunteer work. I found the Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue website and I contacted Anne. I started to collect old newspapers from my colleagues at work and I now volunteer whenever I can as Harper Asprey stands for everything I believe in and is now very close to my heart. If only more people would take the time to notice how wonderful our Wildlife really is and to appreciate it.

Things I excel at.....
Communication / People skills - I studied Media studies at college, worked as a "Runner" for the local news and was a Media assistant for the Press Office at Snetterton circuit (Motorsport, especially F3, is my other passion, although animals will always come first!) and I now work for an IT company in Guildford and work with many different levels of staff/management and I am confident and will chat away to anyone, even if I have only known them 30 seconds!

Things I am not so good at:
I am useless at sitting still and if f there is music there is no hope, I just have to have a boogie! I am also easily distracted - my mind wanders! but I promise I am listening and I will absorb all the information even if I am looking out the window at a low flying Woodpecker

 

 

It must be noted that the people who don't appear on here and work here should write under "Things I don't excel at"

 

"writing about myself "and "finding a picture'

 

I ask you, how hard can that be!

 

This page has been proof read by Sandra