The story behind it
Cambridgeshire WIRE was founded by Chris Percival, who has spent years caring for injured and orphaned wildlife from her home in Horningsea. She specialises in birds, from garden birds to owls, birds of prey and seabirds, and is a licensed bat worker. Along the way, Chris became just as passionate about teaching people to care about wildlife as she was about treating it, and that belief now sits at the heart of everything the charity does.
One story sums it up. A child who used to visit Chris's home became fascinated with the animals in her care. Years later, he wrote to say those visits had changed the course of his life, he now works for the RSPB at Minsmere. Chris counts moments like that among her proudest achievements, right alongside every animal she's helped release back into the wild.
Our mission
Cambridgeshire WIRE exists to rescue, rehabilitate and educate people about wildlife across Cambridgeshire. We care for injured and orphaned animals, help them recover, and return them safely to the wild wherever we can, while inspiring the next generation to protect the wildlife on their own doorstep.
What we stand for
- Compassion for every animal that comes through our door
- Hands on wildlife conservation and rehabilitation
- Education that inspires people to protect local wildlife
- A strong sense of community and local action
- Family friendly, honest and never corporate
Why education matters as much as rescue
Treating an injured animal solves one problem. Teaching a child, a family or a school group why that animal matters solves a much bigger one. That's why every rescue at Cambridgeshire WIRE comes with an open door for people to learn, ask questions and get involved.