Katy's Wildlife Rescues

10/06/2026

Not a species you see every day.
A gorgeous little Natterers bat pup came into care lastnight. Found grounded and dehydrated, with roost unknown, and a cat known to catch bats in the vicinity. Unfortunately replacing it home was not an option.
I have the little one stable and drinking for now. I placed a plushy bat finger puppet into it's box for bat shaped company and found the pup nestled inside the wings earlier🥺 Oh my heart. That's the sweetest thing I've seen in a while. You might be able to make it out from the picture❤️

This weekend Susan Bat Rehabilitation Ireland will be taking this pup for a while as my college work placement means I won't be able to intensively feed the way it's needed at this stage. Susan is amazing💝

Myotis species are not well known for being easy to rehabilitate or to have high success rates.
But tentatively, it's looking ok, we'll do our best🥰

06/06/2026

A tiny baby bat, fresh from a feed, with a little milk moustache still visible around the mouth 🦇❤️
These pale traces are a natural sign of recent nursing and a reminder of just how dependent bat pups are in their early days. Small, fragile, and completely reliant ,but already full of character.❤️❤️❤️🦇🦇🦇

05/06/2026

My recent Long- eared owlet rescue story showed the action of the event. Here is another pic I got of him sussing me out pre rescue. They are just so endearing!🥰🥹

Susan from Bat Rehabilitation Ireland has a rescue owlet in her care now from another area, go and take a look at the sweety! It really is the season so I'll add the info again:

🦉Here are some tips if you find a young owl🦉:

• Keep dogs, cats and people away from the bird.
• Observe from a distance and check for obvious injuries.
• Avoid handling the owl unless absolutely necessary - even young owls have very sharp talons.
• If the owl is healthy but in immediate danger, place it on a nearby branch or in dense vegetation close to where it was found, use thick gloves.
• Do not take it home unless advised by a wildlife rehabilitator.
• Contact an experienced owl or wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.

🦉 The Barn Owl Project
🦇 Bat Rehabilitation Ireland
🦉 Katy's Wildlife Rescues (messenger Katy Steele )

⚠️ Seek urgent help if the owl is injured, bleeding, has a drooping wing, has been caught by a cat or dog, or if no parents are seen over an extended period.🦉🌳💚

03/06/2026

Yesterday evening I was alerted to a grounded juvenile Long-Eared Owl🥰
I was able to locate it from the description (well done neighbours of mine). I assessed its condition and place it into my bird backback. Delighted to find he was a well-fed, uninjured bird.
Luckily, as night fell, it's siblings and parents were around calling which helped me located the nest area. I found a tree away from the walking path where it had been, deeper in the wood. Climbed up and replaced him high up🦉🌳
Great success🎉
At this time of year, these owlets start 'branching' , they are not ready to fly but begin practicing out on branches and sometimes fall down.
The parents will continue to feed if they are up in the trees so if it's suitable, that is the best option.

This family of owls is quite probably the 2nd known breeding pair from 5 Long-eared owls I reared and released in the area in 2023 and 2024.
The 2 nests with owlets are exactly 2km apart. So it was like meeting a grandchild😅🦉🩷 I would love to learn bird ringing to be certain.

Here are some tips if you find a young owl:

• Keep dogs, cats and people away from the bird.
• Observe from a distance and check for obvious injuries.
• Avoid handling the owl unless absolutely necessary - even young owls have very sharp talons.
• If the owl is healthy but in immediate danger, place it on a nearby branch or in dense vegetation close to where it was found, use thick gloves.
• Do not take it home unless advised by a wildlife rehabilitator.
• Contact an experienced owl or wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.

🦉 The Barn Owl Project
🦇 Bat Rehabilitation Ireland
🦉 Katy's Wildlife Rescues (messenger Katy Steele )

⚠️ Seek urgent help if the owl is injured, bleeding, has a drooping wing, has been caught by a cat or dog, or if no parents are seen over an extended period.🦉🌳💚

02/06/2026

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2026/0602/1576422-ireland-hedgehog-count/

28/05/2026

These little leverets also had a hard start to life, orphaned as newborns and lost 2 siblings along the way. Luckily, Susan from Bat Rehabilitation Ireland was at hand to take in and stabilise the fragile babies.

I got them after several days. Both are still doing great after a week🥰

The 3 leverets have been introduced to each other today as the injured one is stable enough to handle a bit of bounce.
They're resting quietly together.
They'll be with me for several more weeks🍼🐇🐇🐇🌱✨️💕

25/05/2026

A week ago this tiny leveret came in after a magpie attack with devastating injuries around the eye and head. The finders were very kind and drove her over an hour to me.

The first 24 hours were touch and go - shock, screaming, neurological distress and severe tissue trauma. I honestly didn’t know if she'd survive the night.

Since then it has been round-the-clock care: warmth, fluids, antibiotics, eye treatment, careful feeding, and trying to balance treatment with the stress that wild animals experience in captivity.

The swelling has reduced, the eye was unable to close for 6 days and clouded up frequently from drying out, but I seem to have saved it with consistent eye drops and cream. The eye has begun repositioning naturally again and closing!

She still has a healing journey ahead, but she's sitting up bright-eyed, exploring, nibbling grasses, wild instincts kicking in and putting on weight🥰💚🌱

20/05/2026

I've been asked how to get into volunteering with wildlife. Here's exactly how🥰🙏 Please do it if you have time and energy

Help!
We are currently seeking support volunteers to help at the Centre in Kildare Town!
With the warmer weather has come an influx of wild patients and we need some extra hands!
No experience required.
Email: [email protected]

19/02/2026

18/02/2026

I'm delighted to announce I've been accepted on Certificate in Conservation and Nature Interpretation Level 6 by Leave No Trace, starting in March👩‍🎓💚
Another study year, so please follow guidelines for wildlife emergencies outlined in pinned posts if you can't reach me!

Little Soprano pipistrelle is doing great, just waiting on better weather to release.
For the last week I've had a stunning male kestrel, poor prognosis from head and eye injury unfortunately it is unlikely good news for him. (pic from intake, he cleaned up well after). Gorgeous bird, I'll do everything to help and give all the care and dignity, whatever the outcome❤️‍🩹

I have been getting my pre- exposure rabies vaccinations, last week, this week and next. That's because I work with bats and handle them in care too.
We haven't had a case of rabies in Ireland since 1903 and I always wear gloves, but it's important to be cautious. Bats are the only mammals that can potentially fly in from mainland Europe and, potentially again, carry the virus EBLV. Chances are so tiny - but I'm very happy to get my vaccinations for 2026.❤️
Always wear gloves, use soft towels - protects yourself and the animals while you get them to safety☺️