A wildlife rescue charity is being hounded by the public with abusive messages during its busiest time of the year. 

Sompting Wildlife Rescue, a charity dubbed “angels in disguise” by supporters, has reported that it is facing an influx of abuse on social media from people who request help.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Recently, we've noticed an increase in rudeness and abusive language directed at us and our volunteers when we are unable to immediately collect wildlife.

“This has been more so recently with gull chick season and people wanting them moved on when they have landed in gardens when learning to fly.

The charity is often called out to help gull chicks The charity is often called out to help gull chicks (Image: Sompting Wildlife Rescue)

“We are unable to take in every animal we get a message about, injured animals will always take priority.

“This behaviour is disheartening and unfair to our team, who work tirelessly for our wildlife.

“Please remember we are a wildlife rescue charity, we are not a government-funded public service and as such rely on donations from the public to carry out our vital work rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing our wildlife."

The charity emphasised that it prioritises injured wildlife and asks those reporting casualties to bring them into their hospital where possible due to its limited number of volunteer drivers.

The organisation has also appealed to the public to aid them with donations if possible to continue with their work.

“If every one of our supporters gave even a pound a month, we'd have enough to keep us going with food, consumables, treatment costs and equipment as well as investing in our volunteers”, the spokesman added.

“We also work full-time jobs to support our family and our wildlife work, for which donations are in decline over recent months.”

Supporters praised the organisation on its social media post and thanked them for doing “an amazing job helping our wildlife”.

Sompting Wildlife Rescue is a “small scale” organisation that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured animals, such as hedgehogs, pigeons and foxes.

It was founded by husband and wife duo Pete and Gayle Foggon, who are both veterinary nurses.