Registered Charity No. 1157841
The Animal Welfare Act does not cover wild animals living in the wild, but under Section 2 of the Act, any animal that is under the temporary control of man, is a protected animal:
Animal Welfare Act, 2006, Section 2, “Protected Animal”
An animal is a “protected animal” for the purposes of this Act if -
(a) it is of a kind which is commonly domesticated in the British Islands,
(b) it is under the control of man whether on a permanent or temporary basis, or
(c) it is not living in a wild state.
• its need for a suitable environment
• its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
• its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
• any other need of that animal
http://www.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/wildlife/reportsandresources/rehabilitation