meet the founder;

ted burden

From tiny acorns grow mighty oaks. From one tiny injured swift, grew the London Wildcare Trust (Riverside Animal Centre).

Founder Ted Burden tells the story of how wildlife found a friend and a future.

“In July 1993, I found an injured swift outside my house. At the time, I was reading Law at Kings College and, although I had a deep love of the
natural world, I knew nothing of caring for wild animals. I assumed help would be easy to find but, countless phone alls later, I discovered that all the advice directed me to my local vet, who would humanely kill the bird for me.

After that, I knew that more could and should be done. I set about combining my knowledge of how wild animals lived with the basics of veterinary care. In January 1994, I decided to tell the local vets that I would be willing to look after the occasional wildlife casualty if they would treat it for me rather than simply putting it to sleep.

A year later, and my Law career was over!

My bedroom, garage and garden sheds were used to care for almost 600 animals ranging from finches to foxes and I was paying for it by working nights in my local supermarket. In 1997, Sutton Council, who were hugely supportive of my work, gave me the use of the derelict parks depot in Beddington Park, Wallington. With 1,000 to our name and a small, enthusiastic band of volunteers, we set up London’s first and only professional wildlife hospital.

Today I have five full-time animal care staff and a team of more than 100 volunteers, all of whom give up their time to help make sure we’re here 365 days a year to care for wild animals in distress. We never turn any animal away – that is very important to us! Over the years, we have learned a huge amount and our skills and expertise are now called on by the police, fire service and vets around the world. We care for more than 4,000 wild animals every year and that number is growing. We also provide a range of specialist emergency services for pets.

This service is FREE to all who need it – but that means we have to work to raise funds to meet the cost of running the charity – just under a quarter of a million pounds a year!

If you want to help, why not visit our hospital on one of our Open Days or take part in one of our other fundraising schemes.

We are always looking for keen volunteers who share our love of wildlife to join us to help care for our thousands of patients every year. To find out more visit our volunteer page.

We live in a city where the pace of life means it’s sometimes difficult to remember to slow down to watch the wildlife, to enjoy the animals and birds who share our environment. Like us, they’re all part of the circle of life and like us, they have their part to play in making London a unique place to work, live and play.

At London Wildcare, we remain PASSIONATE about London’s fantastic wildlife.

We are committed to continue CARING, both in times of need and through education.

We are committed to remain DYNAMIC in desire to expand our work, hoping that one day no wild animal will be left to suffer without access to the professional and loving care to which it is rightly entitled.

Help us to help them when they need a little extra care.