Otter miracle: Community raises £30,000 in three weeks to save wildlife charity

Volunteers at a North Devon otter rescue charity have been left stunned by an outpouring of public support after they issued a plea for help with just months to save it from closing.

Just three weeks ago the UK Wild Otter Trust launched an urgent fundraising appeal to raise £15,000 to relocate its entire operation following a deadline to move from its current home.

The money was needed to dismantle, move and rebuild to a new location, a task that seemed huge and almost overwhelming to charity founder Dave Webb and the volunteers.

READ NEXT: Six months to save our charity: North Devon otter rescue pleads for help

But what followed was extraordinary - supporters hit the initial target within just 48 hours and have continued to give, with the total now standing at more than £32,500.

The charity is an urgent rescue organisation ready to help any otter in the UK and travels far afield saving orphaned or abandoned cubs that would otherwise have died and nursing them to full health before releasing them back into the wild.

It costs around £3,000 to rescue and rehabilitate each cub, so the extra money means not only can the charity afford to relocate, it can also continue to care for the cubs it has now and save more if needed.

Above: Otter cub Scratch was rescued from an Ipswich river bank after being abandoned, likely following the death of his mother. Credit: UKWOT

After being given notice to quit its current North Devon home, the trust was offered land elsewhere in the region by a generous supporter, but without the funding it seemed hopeless.

Even now, they have a big task ahead - the centre must be dismantled, the land restored and a new base established, all while volunteers continue caring for otters already in their charge and saving other cubs - often on the brink of death.

The trust has been going for 27 years but is entirely run by volunteers and no one is paid – instead they have poured countless hours and personal resources into rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing otters across the UK, none more so than founder and CEO Dave Webb.

Reacting to the appeal response, Dave said: “I’m not known for being a particularly emotional man and I’m rarely stuck for words, but the last three weeks have left me truly speechless.

“To watch donations roll in after we shared the devastating news that we needed to move, to see the first target hit in less than 48 hours and then the total pass £30,000 so quickly, is something I will never forget.

“I truly cannot find the words to convey how grateful I am. We’re determined to honour our supporters’ generosity through careful, transparent work, with the animals’ welfare at the core of everything we do - as always.”

Above: Dave Webb, founder of the UK Wild Otter Trust. Credit: UKWOT

As a thank you, the trust is inviting supporters to help name an otter enclosure. Votes can be cast via the UK Wild Otter Trust’s social media channels and give supporters the opportunity to make their mark in a new chapter for rescued otters in North Devon.

Below: Dave Webb working with volunteer Lily. Credit: UKWOT

Summer Hales, communications and fundraising officer, said: “The generosity we’ve seen is mind-blowing. It means we can safely and efficiently dismantle and move on from our current centre and begin building a wonderful, purpose-built new home for the charity.

“It also ensures we have the funds to keep caring for the otters already with us and to accept new cubs in urgent need of treatment. We are a volunteer-run team that gives our time because these animals deserve a second chance.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared and cheered us on.”

The trust said more updates on the relocation and rebuild will be shared in the coming weeks.

READ NEXT: Tiny otter cub rescued from Ipswich riverbank is recovering in North Devon