The UK  national oil spill contingency plan, developed in 2006, is under review as of 2014. The national plan provides guidance on how oiled wildlife should be dealt with.

In the 2006 plan, regional Environmental Groups of experts and expert groups were set up across the UK. These Environmental Groups advise the incident command on environmental issues, including wildlife aspects of the response. According to the plan, one of the purposes of Environmental Group is to “facilitate welfare, rehabilitation or humane disposal of wildlife casualties by recognised animal welfare organisations.”

The three leading animal welfare organisations in the UK have detailed plans in place and would be called upon by the Environmental Group to carry out the rescue and treatment of affected animals in the event of an oiled wildlife incident. These groups are the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (in England and Wales), Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (in Scotland) and the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (in Northern Ireland).

See Shetland (Scotland) for further information on response in that region.