Swan Sanctuary, Shepperton

The Swan Sanctuary
Founded1991
FounderThe Late Dorothy Beeson MBE BEM
TypeCharity
PurposeAnimal welfare
Location
RevenueGBP £214,000 (2018)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Swan Sanctuary, Shepperton is a wildlife hospital dedicated to the treatment, care and rehabilitation of swans and wildfowl in the UK and is situated close to the village of Shepperton in area of Middlesex, England. The Swan Sanctuary is registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as Veterinary Premises No. 7002114 – Sally Goulden, B. Vet. Med., Cert. G.P. (SAM), MRCVS[1]

History

Originally run from the back garden of Dorothy Beeson's home in Egham in the 1980s and the first purpose-built site was rented from Runnymede Borough Council on a derelict allotment site in Field View, Egham. When the council wanted the land back a new site was needed with more permanent tenure, so a site in Shepperton, Middlesex was found and the new sanctuary built there in 2005. Despite a major setback when the Sanctuary was targeted by criminal fly tippers[2] major developments were completed in 2010. The Swan Sanctuary is recognised by other notable animal charities as a centre for the treatment of swans such as the RSPB,[3] Battersea Dogs and Cats Home[4] and Twycross Zoo,[5] as well as the traditional swan keepers on the Thames the Worshipful Company of Dyers and the Worshipful Company of Vintners.[6] Local supermarkets donate their waste food to help the sanctuary feed their patients,[7]

Aims

To provide treatment, care, rehabilitation and, where possible, release back to the wild of all wildfowl species where they are injured or in distress.

To provide training for organisations who may find themselves faced with wildfowl casualties in the capture and handling of the birds.

Education of groups of all ages in the work done by the Swan Sanctuary.[8]

Achievements

1991 Founder Dorothy Beeson awarded BEM[9]

2000 Lord Erskine award from the RSPCA in recognition of the contribution to animal welfare.

2001 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award for conservation work.

2015 Founder Dorothy Beeson awarded MBE[10][11][12][13] for services to swan rescue and rehabilitation.

2015 Founder Dorothy Beeson awarded International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) prestigious Animal Action Award[14][15]

2018 The Swan Sanctuary awarded Queen's Award for Voluntary Service[16]

Funding

The sanctuary receives no government funding and is run entirely on donations from the public and corporate sponsorship.[17]

The Swan Sanctuary on television

The sanctuary has appeared in the following television programmes:

  • The Thames with Tony Robinson (Channel 5) Series 3 Episode 7 Available to stream on My 5
  • Wildlife on One – Natural Neighbours (BBC 1994)
  • Animal Hospital (BBC 1994–2004)
  • Animal 24:7 (BBC 2006–2010)
  • Pet Rescue (Channel 4 1997–2002)
  • Animal Rescue Squad (Channel 5 2008)
  • In the Shape of Love – The Swan Sanctuary of Surrey, UK (Supreme Master Television 2011)[18]

Key people

Founder

  • The late Dorothy Beeson MBE BEM

Patrons

Former patrons

Trustees

  • Stephen P Knight
  • Melanie G Beeson
  • Cayley West
  • Max Grundy
  • Howard Smith

Further reading

  • The Swan by Stephen Moss, (Vintage Publishing 2021) ISBN 978 1 529110 37 1
  • The Swan – A Natural History by Malcolm Schuyl, (Merlin Unwin Books 2012) ISBN 978 1 906122 40 9
  • No Animals Were Harmed by Peter Laufer, (Lyons Press 2012) ISBN 978 0 7627 6385 6
  • The Animal World Encyclopaedia Edited by Andrew Linzey (Kingsley Media, 2005)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sally Goulden MRCVS". www.rcvs.org.uk.
  2. ↑ "BBC Filthy Rotten Scoundrels target Swan Sanctuary". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 August 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "RSPB Advice on Swan Care". www.rspb.org.uk.
  4. ↑ "Battersea Cats and Dogs home recommend Swan Sanctuary". www.battersea.org.uk. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  5. ↑ "Twycross Zoo species advice for Swans". wildpro.twycrosszoo.org. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Vintners Support Swan Sanctuary". www.vintnershall.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Budgens Donate Out of Date Food". www.maloneysbudgens.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "BBC Human Rehabilitation at Swan Sanctuary". news.bbc.co.uk. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  9. ↑ Hime, Juliet (1991). Debrett's People of Surrey. Debrett’s Peerage Limited. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-870-52006-5. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  10. ↑ "New Year Honours list 2015: Swan Sanctuary founder appointed MBE". www.getsurrey.co.uk. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "Princess Alice Hospice founder and saviour of swans honoured". thisislocallondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "MRCVS Honours 2015". mrcvs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Swan Sanctuary Founder receives MBE". www.villagematters.co.uk. February 2015.
  14. ↑ "The selfless heroes saving the world's animals are finally recognised for dedication". www.express.co.uk.
  15. ↑ "Lifetime Dedication Award for Swan Sanctuary Founder". www.getsurrey.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "Winners of the 2018 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service announced". www.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  17. ↑ "Network Rail Van for Sanctuary". www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ↑ "In the Shape of Love". suprememastertv.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "The Mishcon Family Charitable Trust". apps.charitycommission.gov.uk.
  20. ↑ "Bennett Lowell Limited". www.bizdb.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.

Stories regarding swans treated by the Swan Sanctuary.

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