If a wild animal, including a bird or bat, has found their way into your stairwell or room of your house or workplace, most of the time the animal will be able to get back out again of their own accord. If you can, remove any obstacles and leave an external window or door open. During the day, turning off lights can help guide the animal back outside. Leave the animal alone and give them time to find their way out. After a few hours if the animal has not left, and it is safe to do so, you can try to carefully move the animal outside using a towel or blanket.
If you have an animal trapped in an inaccessible place such as a chimney, cavity wall, or under floorboards, please contact an appropriate professional such as a builder, or, you may need to ask your landlord, council or housing association to help with this. Our Animal Rescue Officers do not have the equipment to remove walls or floorboards. Once you have removed the animal, and they appear healthy and alert, you can release them back outside. However, if the animal is injured, and you can safely contain them, please take to your local veterinary practice (or ask someone you know to take you if you do not have transport). If you cannot contain the animal, or if you are unable to transport them, please call us on 03000 999 999.
By following this advice you are enabling our teams to rescue and rehabilitate the animals who need us the most.
Read more about trapped animals.
Thank you so much for caring about Scotland’s animals. We really appreciate your help.
