HERE'S THE PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW (LAID OUT TO BE AS QUICK AND EASY AS POSSIBLE)....

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WILDLIFE RESCUE [TRANSPORT SUPPORT PROCEDURE]​

 

Contacting your Volunteer Drivers…

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Ideally, all Drivers will be in a WhatsApp group so that you can easily reach out and ask for transport support.  WhatsApp groups can be a nightmare for lots of messages - leading members to mute the chat and therefore making it unworkable - so messages must be kept to an absolute minimum…

 

- Message when you need transport support.  Try and ALWAYS include a starting and ending postcode as it helps Drivers to quickly understand how long a journey might be and it raises 'yes, I can help' rates a lot.

- Once a Driver has offered to help, provide them with the necessary info (outlined below).

- Ask the Driver to message in the WhatsApp group as to when they have picked up the animal and when they are home safe. [They should message in the group because I will be in the group too, so I can be a back up to have an eye on everyone’s safety, while they’re on the road.]

- Thank them.

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Info to give the Driver…

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The address of either the Finder or the Vet Practice (whichever they’re picking up from) and a phone number of the person/Practice that they’re picking up from.​  For example...

 

You are picking up from [....].  Their full address is...​

 

FULL ADDRESS -

PHONE NUMBER -​

 

Protocol for picking up is...

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• Arrive at the Vet Practice please and take the large carrier - with a towel in - into reception and say that you’re from [Rescue name] and there to pick up the [animal].

• [OR]...  Arrive at [Finder’s name] house and pass her the large carrier with a towel in, to pop the [animal] into.  [Unless specifically agreed between the Driver & Rescue, with training given on capture & containment and/or other safety measures in place, UKWT Drivers never go into a Finder’s home or garden.]​

 

Info for dropping off is...​

 

[Rescue address or the address for a Fosterer/Volunteer, who comes under the Rescue umbrella.]  Provide drop off protocol when necessary.  Eg. “Go into Reception” OR “Ring the bell at the gate.”

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[If they are dropping an animal off at the Vets for you, or taking an animal to one of your fosterers, here's an example of the info to provide...​]  

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You are dropping off at [....].  Their full address is...​

 

FULL ADDRESS -

PHONE NUMBER -​

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Info for dropping off is...​

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'Ring the bell at the gate" etc etc.

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Looking after your Volunteer Drivers…

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Ideally, all Drivers will be in a WhatsApp group so it’s super easy to keep track of a Driver (even in the back of your mind, as you go about your important work) when they’re on the road.  All you need to know is when they have picked up the animal and when they are home safe.  It’s also important that the Driver has someone to contact should they break down or find themselves in any other difficulty.  [I will also be in the Whatsapp group as a back up so if you're too busy to do this, don't worry too much.]

 

When they've completed the transport...  Thank them and remind them to clean their carrier(s) using disinfectant and to hot wash all towels.  [I will be in the group as a back up to also thank them and remind them to clean/disinfect etc.]

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*All of our UKWT Drivers are given this welfare guidance to follow, during transport, when they join our database: https://www.ukwildlifetransporters.org/guidance-for-drivers