Prague is now home to the most modern animal hospital in Europe, a state-of-the-art wildlife rescue center capable of treating up to 10,000 injured or stray animals each year.

The new facility, located in Jinonice, cost more than 400 million CZK and offers comprehensive veterinary care for a wide range of wild species. But it’s not just a hospital — it also doubles as a space for public education and school programs.

Common patients include swans, owls, otters, squirrels, and even larger species such as roe deer, mouflons, fallow deer, and beavers. After recovery, most animals are released back into their natural habitat.

The hospital’s Jinonice location features a surgical suite, intensive care unit, veterinary clinic, treatment aviaries, feed preparation room, isolation units, and recovery enclosures.

It also includes a lecture room designed for educational programs aimed at school groups and the general public.

The rescue station employs 24 specialists who care for around 1,000 animals at any given time. Currently, about 150 wild creatures, mostly birds and hedgehogs, are preparing for release.

The head of the rescue station, Veronika Kraslová, says the success rate is impressive: over 60% of adult animals and nearly 90% of young ones survive thanks to early intervention.

“Even if the odds are slim, we try. But unfortunately, some animals are too traumatized to be saved.”

What To Do If You Find an Injured Animal

Kraslová urged Prague residents to always contact experts first. “If you find an injured animal, call our emergency line at 773 772 771. We’ll guide you on what to do,” she said. “Sometimes well-intentioned actions, like moving the animal, can cause more harm. It’s crucial to consult us first.”

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On 15 June, the European Commission launched ‘Re-open EU’, a web platform to support a safe relaunch of travelling and tourism across Europe.

It will provide real-time information on borders and available means of transport and tourism services in Member States.

Re-open EU will also include practical information provided by Member States on travel restrictions, public health and safety measures such as on physical distancing or wearing of facemasks, as well as other useful information on EU and national tourism offers.

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Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said: “After weeks of confinement, EU internal borders are reopening. The Re-open EU website we are launching today will provide travellers with easy access to information to help them confidently make their travel plans and stay safe during their trip. It will also help small restaurant and hotel owners, as well as towns across Europe, draw inspiration from innovative solutions developed by others.”

The Re-open EU platform is part of the Commission’s Tourism and Transport package, launched in May to rebuild confidence among travellers in the EU and help European tourism resume safely, in line the necessary health precautions.

Additionally, it includes information on patronage voucher schemes that allow consumers to show support for their favourite hotels or restaurants by buying vouchers for a future stay or meal once they reopen, to help the European hospitality industry as restrictions are lifted and borders reopen.

The platform is available in all 24 official EU languages.

Visit the website here.