Swan Sanctuary, Shepperton

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{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tvfst |title=BBC Filthy Rotten Scoundrels target Swan Sanctuary}} 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,{{cite web |url=http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/muteswan/sick_injured_orphaned.aspx |title=RSPB Advice on Swan Care}} Battersea Dogs and Cats Home{{cite web |url=http://www.battersea.org.uk/help_advice/links/rescues.html |title=Battersea Cats and Dogs home recommend Swan Sanctuary |access-date=14 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707153425/http://www.battersea.org.uk/help_advice/links/rescues.html |archive-date=7 July 2013 |url-status=dead }} and Twycross Zoo,{{cite web |url=http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/0AvAnserif/anatidae/1acravan_cygnus/Cygnus_olor/Cygnus_olor.htm |title=Twycross Zoo species advice for Swans}} as well as the traditional swan keepers on the Thames the Worshipful Company of Dyers and the Worshipful Company of Vintners.{{cite web |url=http://www.vintnershall.co.uk/?page=swan_sanctuaries |title=Vintners Support Swan Sanctuary}} Local supermarkets donate their waste food to help the sanctuary feed their patients,{{cite web |url=http://www.maloneysbudgens.com/shepperton-news/swan-sanctuary/ |title=Budgens Donate Out of Date Food}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7852577.stm |title=BBC Human Rehabilitation at Swan Sanctuary|date=27 January 2009 }}

1991 Founder Dorothy Beeson awarded BEM{{cite book| last = Hime| first = Juliet| authorlink = Juilet Hime| title = Debrett's People of Surrey| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SlDtMgEACAAJ| accessdate = 5 April 2013| year = 1991| publisher = Debrett’s Peerage Limited| isbn = 978-1-870-52006-5| page = 13 }}

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{{cite web |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/new-year-honours-list-2015-8363356 |title=New Year Honours list 2015: Swan Sanctuary founder appointed MBE|date=30 December 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://m.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/11694313.Princess_Alice_Hospice_founder_and_saviour_of_swans_honoured/ |title=Princess Alice Hospice founder and saviour of swans honoured}}{{cite web |url=http://mrcvs.co.uk/en/news/12760/Charity-workers-and-scientists-honoured-by-the-Queen |title=MRCVS Honours 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.villagematters.co.uk/sunbury-matters/sunbury-matters-articles/2015/02/swan-sanctuary-founder-receives-mbe |title=Swan Sanctuary Founder receives MBE|date=February 2015 }} for services to swan rescue and rehabilitation.

2015 Founder Dorothy Beeson awarded International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) prestigious Animal Action Award{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/613159/selfless-heroes-saving-animals-finally-recognized/ |title=The selfless heroes saving the world's animals are finally recognised for dedication}}{{cite web |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/sanctuary-founder-awarded-lifetime-dedication-10308103/ |title=Lifetime Dedication Award for Swan Sanctuary Founder |access-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029102944/http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/sanctuary-founder-awarded-lifetime-dedication-10308103 |archive-date=29 October 2015 |url-status=dead }}

2018 The Swan Sanctuary awarded Queen's Award for Voluntary Service{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/winners-of-the-2018-queens-award-for-voluntary-service-announced/ |title=Winners of the 2018 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service announced }}

The sanctuary receives no government funding and is run entirely on donations from the public and corporate sponsorship.{{cite web | url= http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=2157&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=8 | title= Network Rail Van for Sanctuary | access-date= 14 May 2013 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20130616020619/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=2157&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=8 | archive-date= 16 June 2013 | url-status= dead }}

The sanctuary has appeared in the following television programmes:

• [https://www.channel5.com/show/the-thames-with-tony-robinson/ 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){{cite web | url=http://suprememastertv.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=vege&wr_id=1115 |title=In the Shape of Love}}

Founder

• The late Dorothy Beeson MBE BEM

Patrons

• Queen Noor of Jordan
• Lady Patricia Marina Hobson OBE{{cite web | url=http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=326839&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |title=The Hobson Charity}}
• Sir John and Lady EganJohn Egan (industrialist)
• The Hon. Russell and Marcia Mishcon{{cite web | url=http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithoutPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=213165&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |title=The Mishcon Family Charitable Trust}}
• David and Molly Borthwick{{cite web | url=http://www.bizdb.co.uk/company/bennett-lowell-limited-08228454/ |title=Bennett Lowell Limited}}

Former patrons

• Marchioness of SalisburyRobert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury
• Sir Ronald Hobson KCVO
• Michael Caine
• Lord and Lady Remnant

Trustees

• Stephen P Knight
• Melanie G Beeson
• Gary Nelson
• Max Grundy
• Howard Smith

• 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)

• Swan
• Mute swan
• Abbotsbury Swannery
• Swan Upping
• 1991 New Year Honours
• 2015 New Year Honours

{{Reflist}}

Stories regarding swans treated by the Swan Sanctuary.

• [https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24022330.volunteer-rushes-surrey-save-winchester-swan/?embedded_webview=true Swan Rescue in Winchester]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if70N85dO4A/ ITV News Avian Influenza with segment from the Swan Sanctuary]
• [https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/swan-rescue-on-hampstead-heath/ Cygnet Rescued on Hampstead Heath]
• [https://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/swan-trapped-in-electricity-substation-for-days-279347/ Swan trapped in substation in Canterbury]
• [https://www.kentonline.co.uk/malling/news/swans-returned-to-river-after-major-oil-leak-264188/ Oil Spill River Medway]
• [https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/april/04/fluffy-multi-agency-rescue-two-chiswick-rnli-volunteers-save-trapped-goslings RNLI Gosling Rescue Putney]
• [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/26/escape-your-comfort-zone-i-love-swimming-outdoors-so-i-decided-to-confront-my-deep-fear-of-swans Guardian Article of fear of Swans]
• [https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/swan-sanctuary-founder-dorothy-beeson-18188907 Dot Beeson Obituary]
• [https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2019-08-05/engineers-taught-to-tackle-swans-as-number-of-birds-landing-on-train-tracks-goes-up/ ITV – Swans on Railway Lines]
• [https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/31436-2/ Cygnet Rescued at Surrey Quays]
• [http://camdennewjournal.com/article/watch-rangers-tackle-crane-on-hampstead-heath Camden Journal – Crane rescued on Hampstead Heath]
• [https://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/local-news/2371223/injured-swan-survives-for-8-days-at-cobham-services/ Eagle Radio – Swan rescued from Cobham Services]
• [http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/swan-dies-after-horrific-park-attack-1-8134075 Crawley Observer – Cygnet attacked by dogs]
• [http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/quack-quack-sheppertons-swan-sanctuary-13060917 Get Surrey – Ducklings and Cygnets at the Sanctuary]
• [http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/15274802.Dog_owners_warned_after_swans_terrorised_in_Barnes/# Local Guardian – Dog Attack Barnes]
• [http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2017-03-21/dozens-of-swans-returned-to-river-after-oil-spill/ ITV News – Swans returned to Reading]
• [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/11/sixty-swans-rescued-dumped-oil-deluges-three-miles-town-river/ Daily Telegraph – Oil Spill in Reading]
• [http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/swans_are_rescued_from_oil_pollution_on_river_lea_at_hackney_wick_1_4837918 East London Advertiser – Cooking Oil Spill]
• [http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/14781301.Outrage_as_man_whose_dog_killed_a_swan_fined___120_for__worrying__it/ East London Guardian – Fine for Dog Attack]
• [http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/swan-captured-police-after-flying-11399327 Get Surrey – Swan on M25]
• [http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/guildford-goslings-take-water-stoke-11306812 Get Surrey – Guildford Goslings]
• [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/three-geese-beaten-death-tied-6896410 Daily Mirror – Geese tortured and killed GRAPHIC IMAGES]
• [http://www.itv.com/news/london/2015-12-15/swan-left-in-excruciating-pain-after-ball-bearing-is-fired-into-its-beak/ ITV – Swan attacked with catapult]
• [https://www.independent.co.uk/happylist/independent-on-sundays-happy-list-2015-the-full-list-of-people-who-make-life-better-for-others-10299707.html Independent Happy List 2015]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150530165544/http://lovewapping.org/2015/02/swan-rescued-john-orwell-shows-little-interest-hockey/ Love Wapping – Pair rescued after territorial fight]
• [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/stranded-puffin-rescued-after-being-5490923 Daily Mirror – Puffin Rescue]
• [http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/swan-rescued-after-bird-crash-8825862 West London News – Swan Lands on Tesco roof]
• [https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cygnet-recovering-well-after-being-hit-by-car-in-east-london-9820335.html Evening Standard – Swan hit by car rescued by police]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/6687689.stm BBC Fatal swan attack at Walton on the Hill]
• [https://archive.today/20130616020643/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6946984/Battered-swans-find-refuge-in-new-sanctuary.html Daily Telegraph Article about battered swans]
• [http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2135737_delight_as_hen_hatches_swan_eggs_saved_from_fox Hen Hatched cygnets brought to Swan Sanctuary]
• [https://www.standard.co.uk/news/shot-swan-becomes-foster-father-to-50-orphaned-cygnets-6916345.html Evening Standard – Shot Swan Becomes Foster Father]
• [http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10461125.Pet_owners_warned_after_animal_attack East London Guardian – Dog Attack Reward]
• [http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/2055110.print/ Swans attacked in East Sussex]
• [https://archive.today/20130616020509/http://www.myborough.org/barking-and-dagenham-resident-featured-in-the-ham-and-high-local-newspaper-after-rescuing-swan-dubbed-the-wingless-angel-from-hampstead-heath/ Local Swan Sanctuary rescuer in Hampstead]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121008092343/http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/court-crime/sick_baby_swan_rescued_from_foots_cray_meadows_1_1572982 Cygnet rescued from Foots Cray meadows Bexley Kent]
• [http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/Swan-shot-air-rifle-recovering-Leatherhead-animal/story-18145629-detail/story.html#axzz2PfwnDIOk Shot swan taken to Swan Sanctuary]
• [http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/topstories/9859864.Dog_owners_warning_after_swan_loses_wing/?ref=rss Swan attack in Battersea Park]

Category:1991 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:Animal charities based in the United Kingdom

Category:Animal welfare organisations based in the United Kingdom

Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of the United Kingdom

Category:Charities based in Surrey

Category:Organizations established in 1991