WRI exists to promote wildlife rehabilitation, improve wildlife welfare, and conservation in Ireland.
The Wildlife Teaching Hospital will deliver a purpose-built facility for the treatment, rehabilitation, and teaching of wildlife care.
It will serve as a hub for veterinary training, research, and public education — ensuring that injured wild animals have access to expert care while helping to build national capacity for wildlife welfare.
The Wildlife Teaching Hospital will work as a central facility to provide training to not only professionals in the field but community groups, schools and much more.
Through workshops, courses, and school engagement, Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland promotes understanding of wildlife health, conservation, and coexistence. The Education Centre will inspire communities to protect nature and empower future generations to care for Ireland’s wild species responsibly. It will allow WRI to build on achievements in this area such as Wild Child, Wild Schools and the many off site talks and visits we organise each year.
We are steadily advancing towards opening the Wildlife Teaching Hospital through careful planning, design, and collaboration.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland continues to advance the development of the Wildlife Teaching Hospital through careful planning, design work, and stakeholder collaboration. Each phase builds upon lessons learned from previous projects, ensuring transparency, sustainability, and meaningful long-term impact.
Our work embraces the One Health principle — uniting animal, human, and environmental wellbeing through shared learning and cooperation.
The Wildlife Teaching Hospital embraces the One Health approach — recognising the interconnection between animal, human, and environmental health. By partnering with veterinary practitioners, ecologists, educators, and government bodies, WRI strengthens a shared commitment to safeguarding biodiversity.
Read more about the global approach to One Health here
Every donation will help fund the Wildlife Teaching Hospital and provide lifesaving care for Ireland’s wild animals.
Your donation directly supports the creation of Ireland’s Wildlife Teaching Hospital and helps fund vital wildlife care, training, and education. Every contribution, large or small, makes a tangible difference in protecting the animals that share our environment.
Sharing our message helps others understand the challenges facing wildlife and how they can make a difference.
You can help by sharing our mission, stories, and updates with others. Raising awareness about wildlife welfare, threats, and solutions encourages greater public understanding — and helps drive lasting change for Ireland’s wild species. Collaboration with the public is critical to the success of this project. Please email with ideas and suggestions for awareness and fund raising.
Organising a fundraiser is a fun, hands-on way to support wildlife rehabilitation and conservation in Ireland.
Organising a fundraiser is a fun and rewarding way to support wildlife care. From coffee mornings to sponsored walks, every initiative helps WRI rescue, treat, and release injured animals while building awareness of Ireland’s natural heritage. Contact us to collaborate or publicise your event/action.
Our 2021 interim hospital proved the urgent need for a permanent facility and shaped the vision we now work to achieve.
In 2021, WRI operated an interim wildlife hospital that treated hundreds of wild animals and provided hands-on training for veterinary professionals. The experience shaped our vision for a permanent facility and demonstrated the urgent national need for specialised wildlife care.
Each rescue story reveals the compassion, skill, and teamwork behind saving Ireland’s wild animals.
Behind every rescue lies a story of compassion, teamwork, and recovery. These true accounts from wildlife carers, veterinary practitioners, and volunteers highlight the challenges and successes of helping Ireland’s injured and orphaned wild animals.
We are deeply grateful to the volunteers, donors, and professionals whose dedication continues to drive our mission forward.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland is deeply grateful to the volunteers, donors, veterinary professionals, and supporters who make our work possible. Their time, expertise, and generosity continue to drive progress towards a permanent Wildlife Teaching Hospital.
Our photo gallery captures milestones, rescues, and the remarkable people working to protect Ireland’s wildlife.
Explore images from past rescues, training events, and hospital milestones. Our gallery showcases the dedication of those working to protect Ireland’s wildlife and celebrates the animals who have returned safely to the wild.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital opens, new roles will be available for passionate individuals eager to help shape the future of wildlife care in Ireland.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital opens, it will create a range of rewarding career opportunities for those passionate about wildlife, veterinary care, and conservation. Staff roles will span animal care, education, administration, and operations — each contributing to the daily running of a national centre of excellence for wildlife welfare.
Positions will offer the chance to work within a dedicated, multidisciplinary team focused on advancing wildlife rehabilitation standards in Ireland. Every role, from clinical to educational, will help shape the future of wildlife protection and inspire collaboration between science, veterinary care, and community engagement.
As part of Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, employees will have access to professional development, mentoring, and opportunities to contribute to innovative projects that strengthen the One Health approach. Our workplace will value compassion, curiosity, and teamwork — the same values we bring to the animals we serve.
By joining our team, staff will not only support individual animals in need but also help build a long-term legacy for wildlife care, education, and environmental stewardship in Ireland.
Our internship programme will offer students hands-on experience in wildlife treatment, rehabilitation, and conservation practice.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital reopens, it will host structured internship programmes for students studying veterinary medicine, nursing, ecology, and related fields. Interns will gain hands-on experience working with wildlife casualties under the guidance of experienced professionals.
These placements will offer unique exposure to the practical and ethical challenges of wildlife care — from triage and treatment to rehabilitation and release. Participants will develop vital clinical and observational skills that extend far beyond the classroom, grounded in real-life conservation impact.
Each internship will integrate academic learning with on-site mentoring and reflection, ensuring that students leave with a deeper understanding of wildlife health, welfare, and the interconnectedness of all living systems.
By nurturing future professionals, WRI will help build a stronger, more compassionate generation of practitioners equipped to support Ireland’s wildlife for years to come.
Specialised placements will give veterinary professionals the opportunity to develop practical skills in wildlife medicine and welfare.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital opens, it will provide dedicated placements for veterinary practitioners and students wishing to expand their knowledge of wildlife medicine. These training opportunities will focus on practical, evidence-based approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of native species.
Participants will work directly with wildlife cases under expert supervision, gaining valuable experience in areas such as wound management, anaesthesia, zoonotic disease control, and species-specific handling. Emphasis will be placed on the ethical considerations and welfare standards unique to wildlife care.
The programme will also promote collaboration between clinics, universities, and conservation bodies, strengthening the professional network that supports wildlife health across Ireland. Through shared expertise, the hospital will serve as a hub for continuing education and cross-sector learning.
Ultimately, these placements will empower veterinary professionals to confidently and compassionately treat wildlife casualties — ensuring that every wild animal has access to informed, high-quality care.
Transition Year students will be welcomed to gain real-world insight into wildlife care, veterinary teamwork, and environmental responsibility.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital reopens, it will once again welcome Transition Year students for structured, hands-on work experience. This programme will introduce young people to the world of wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, and environmental protection in a professional and inspiring setting.
Students will learn about the care of wild animals, the importance of biodiversity, and the role of humans in conservation. They will observe daily hospital routines, participate in educational activities, and gain insight into the teamwork and responsibility involved in animal care.
The experience will encourage empathy, environmental awareness, and a lifelong appreciation for Ireland’s wildlife. By working alongside professionals, students will see first-hand how compassion and science combine to make a difference for living creatures in need.
Through these placements, Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland will help inspire the next generation of environmental leaders — young people who will carry forward the values of respect, stewardship, and care for the natural world.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital reopens, it will provide expert care and a second chance for Ireland’s injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital reopens, it will provide a vital lifeline for Ireland’s injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals. Every year, thousands of creatures suffer due to road traffic, pollution, habitat loss, or human interference — and this facility will ensure that expert help is always available when it’s needed most.
Our dedicated team of veterinary practitioners, rehabilitators, and trained volunteers will work together to provide immediate assessment, stabilisation, and care. Members of the public who find wildlife casualties will be guided on how to respond safely and compassionately, forming an essential first step in each animal’s recovery journey.
Education will remain at the heart of our work. Through workshops, resources, and training programmes, we will empower communities to recognise wildlife emergencies and understand when to intervene — ensuring the best outcomes for both animals and people.
Every life saved will represent a step forward for biodiversity in Ireland. The reopening of the hospital will not only allow us to treat more animals, but also to strengthen our collective ability to protect and coexist with wildlife for generations to come.
Our rehabilitation process will guide each animal from rescue to release through compassionate, science-based care and species-specific recovery.
When the Wildlife Teaching Hospital reopens, it will deliver a complete, high-standard rehabilitation pathway — from rescue to release — designed to give every animal the best possible chance of survival. The process will begin with expert triage and clinical assessment, identifying injuries and illnesses and determining the most effective treatment plan.
Animals admitted to the hospital will receive tailored veterinary care from professionals trained in wildlife medicine. Each treatment plan will balance medical intervention with species-specific welfare needs, ensuring that the animal can recover naturally while minimising human stress and contact.
Rehabilitation will include specialist conditioning and rewilding programmes to prepare animals for life back in their natural habitat. Purpose-built enclosures and naturalistic environments will allow for essential behaviours like foraging, flying, or hunting to be safely relearned before release.
The final stage — release and monitoring — will complete the cycle of care. Wherever possible, animals will be returned to the area they came from, contributing to the local ecosystem. Post-release data will inform ongoing research and training, helping us refine our practices and continuously improve wildlife welfare in Ireland.
Remember, go to Irish Wildlife Matters for information on local wildlife friendly vets, licensed rehabilitators and species specific first aid.
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