Wildlife Welfare

Urban Wildlife Feeding: Risks and Responsible Practice

Feeding urban wildlife has grown in popularity but carries significant welfare and ecological risks including dependency, disease and alteration of natural behaviours.

Key Facts

Bird feeding in the UK is practiced by around half of households, making it a major wildlife intervention
Supplementary feeding can increase winter survival rates in some bird species
Concentrated feeding stations spread avian trichomonosis, salmonellosis and other diseases
Feeding urban foxes, hedgehogs and other mammals can cause nutritional imbalances
Human food items given to wildlife often cause disease, choking or toxicity

Welfare Considerations

Responsible wildlife feeding requires regular cleaning of feeders and bird baths, provision of appropriate foods, and avoidance of foods harmful to specific species. The welfare benefits of supplementary feeding are real but must be weighed against disease transmission risks. Providing clean fresh water may benefit wildlife more than food in many urban environments.

What You Can Do

Clean bird feeders and bird baths at least every two weeks
Offer only species-appropriate foods - never bread for most wildlife
Provide fresh water rather than food if uncertain about appropriate feeding
Contact your local wildlife trust for guidance on responsible urban feeding