Dwarf

D.W.A.R.F. (Dangerous Wild Animal Rescue Facility)

This facility in Great Wakering was formed several years ago by Iain Newby and is now run by Iain, his wife Lisa, and a handful of volunteeers. It has built up from just a few casualties a week, to as many as thirty. 

D.W.A.R.F. receives about twenty calls a day regarding not just exotic animals, such as snakes and lizards but also many types of birds including parrots, budgerigars, owls, ducks and swans, as well as other British wildlife.

Re-homing Animals

Whenever possible D.W.A.R.F. tries to find new homes for the animals - many of which are brought in by the R.S.P.C.A. having been alerted to their plight by the public, but some of them are simply too dangerous to re-home so these will remain at D.W.A.R.F. for the rest of their lives.  Sadly, many of the animals, reptiles and birds that go to D.W.A.R.F. have been mistreated, not cared for properly or through no fault of their own, their owners can no longer look after them properly.

Over the years a large variety of different animals have come through the doors, from Scottish wildcats to alligators and no animal needing help has ever been turned away, and as you can see from the pictures, some of them are really challenging to look after!

Raising Public Awareness 

One of Iain's main aims is to try to educate children and adults alike regarding the welfare needs of each creature and the responsibilities associated with having them as a pet.  He is available to give talks to groups and schools, and often takes some of the friendlier creatures out to schools and fetes so that children can get near to animals they may not otherwise have the opportunity of seeing or handling.  Iain is always happy to offer help, information or advice on the proper care of animals and especially exotic species.

Funding

The cost of food, equipment, fuel and vets bills are very hard to keep up with, and as D.W.A.R.F. is entirely self funded, it relies heavily on public donations and is sincerely grateful for every penny received.  In addition to funds, D.W.A.R.F. is very happy to accept donations of used vivariums in good condition, heat maps, ceramic heat bulbs, UV lights, towels and reptile bowls as it makes very good use of them.

Volunteers

DW.A.R.F. is on call 24/7 and has a handful of volunteers highly dedicated to animal care and welfare.

Although the work is very enjoyable, it does put great demands on Iain's time and limited resources and so D.W.A.R.F. is always looking for volunteers to organise fundraising events to enable it to continue providing a safe haven for the creatures that pass through.


Contact Information

Address: 28, Stuart Close, Great Wakering, Essex.

Tel: 01702 219472 - Mob: 07729 852932 - Fax: 01702 216276

Meet Rolex 

Rolex was brought over from the wetlands of Florida to be a film star - he was supposed to be in one of the Indiana Jones films, but didn't pass the audition.  When Iain Newby of  D.W.A.R.F. (Dangerous Wild Animal Rescue Facility) in Wakering heard about Rolex's plight, he swooped into the alligator's life like a real-life Indiana Jones, and adopted him.

Now Rolex is a very pampered ‘pet' and lives in his own especially constructed wet room in the leafy suburbs of Great Wakering - not quite the same as the swamps of Florida, but Rolex is so humanised now that it would not be in his best interests to send him back

Rolex is kept at a constant temperature of 85¢ªc  - 95¢ªc by day and 60¢ªc - 75¢ªc by night.  He feeds every two to three days on the finest foods (Marks & Spencer kindly donate out of date food to his sanctuary).  A typical meal will consist of one of the following:-

• 8 lbs of salmon
• 2 rabbits
• 15 rats
• 2 chickens

The biggest expense in keeping Rolex is the cost of heating and UV lighting - he needs three new bulbs each year at £95 a time.

Rolex goes into semi-hibernation between November and March, during which time he doesn't eat. 

If you were thinking of buying a baby alligator or adopting one, my advice to you would be DON'T DO IT!!  Stick to something that you can stroke and can sleep on your bed!

See Rolex in the caption competition in the competition section.

ANIMALS IN NEED OF NEW HOMES

D.W.A.R.F. always has a constant stream of animals coming in either abused, abandoned, neglected, or simply because their owners can no longer look after them. 

A few of the rescued iguanas can be viewed on this site in the Iguana section under 'Reptiles and Exotics', also up for adoption are various King Snakes, Rat Snakes, Corn Snakes, Burmese Pythons, Bearded Dragons, Snapping Turtles, Terrapins, Leopard Geckos and Boa Constrictors.  If you are interested in any of these, then contact:-

Iain Newby at D.W.A.R.F.

Tel: 01702-219472.