A WILDLIFE rescue centre in Mid Wales has closed abruptly following a social media post responding to criticism of the service it provides.

Tim Churchill has run Rhayader Wildlife Rescue, near Nantmel, between the town and Crossgates on the A44, with his wife Kat since 2017, setting up shortly after he suffered a heart attack.

Originally known as Valley View Falconry, nature lovers were inundated with requests to rescue and rehome animals from birds of prey to domestic pets given up by their owners.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Tim and Kat have been running the centre - originally known as Valley View Falconry - from their own pockets, but last week announced the centre was to close.

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He said the centre would cease to operate on Sunday, March 12, confirming to Hereford Times sister title the County Times on Tuesday (March 14) it has shut.

“Yes, the rescue is now closed. It has been a hard decision,” said Tim.

In an emotional post that has since been deleted, Tim alluded to local gossip and the spread of disinformation being behind the decision.

He had been forced to ask for donations last year when the centre’s normal water source was cut off, leaving Tim fearing that would lead to it being shut down as its 200 animals would be in danger. 

A JustGiving page helped raise over £3,500 to keep it running.

Hereford Times: All manner of creatures, great and small, have been taken in by the centre over the years, from birds of prey to ducks, chickens, rabbits, hedgehogs, parrots, ponies and alpacas All manner of creatures, great and small, have been taken in by the centre over the years, from birds of prey to ducks, chickens, rabbits, hedgehogs, parrots, ponies and alpacas (Image: None)

The Rhayader Wildlife Rescue Facebook page has since been deactivated, with Tim confirming that they will continue to care for the animals they currently home, but they will not take in anymore rescues.

Rhayader Wildlife Rescue is home to about 160 animals, including geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits, birds, Shetland ponies and alpacas, hedgehogs, plus nine birds of prey.

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They were bombarded with requests from members of the public and vets, who brought in injured birds of prey including buzzards, red kites, tawny owls, and even a baby bat. 

The centre’s webpage, which remains active, says: “With Kat and the family we set up Valley View Falconry in beautiful Mid Wales and looked forward to a new way of life.

“What we hadn't banked on was that before long members of the public and the local vets would start to bring us injured birds of prey.

“Pretty soon word got around that we took in animals and people started to ask if we could take in pets such as rabbits, budgies and guinea pigs."

Hereford Times:

“As the rescue expanded, the falconry business supported the venture and soon we were building aviaries, buying hutches and erecting stables.

"Fully funding it ourselves, we could not bear to see any animal suffer if there was a way we could help."

It adds: “Since the start of the pandemic the number of animals and unwanted pets has increased rapidly.

“We decided to formally name the operation and Rhayader Wildlife Rescue was born. Support has continued with people donating bedding, towels and food."