A charity box for a Leatherhead charity that cares for injured and orphaned wildlife has been stolen.

Staff at a veterinary practice in Streatham were “devastated” after the Wildlife Aid Foundation collection tin was swiped from reception.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation is famous from the television series ‘Wildlife SOS’ which has millions of viewers tuning-in internationally on Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet.

The tin had been on the front desk at easipetcare on Hermitage Lane for more than a year and was almost full when it was swiped.

Julie Knapton, head of practice at easipetcare, said: “We know it was there on Monday, because one of our customers put a £5 note into it so staff definitely remember seeing it then.

“It was almost full – it was getting to the point where I was going to take it to the charity. We hadn’t counted it, but I reckon there must have been around £50 to £100 in there.

“The reception is always manned, apart from the odd few moments when the receptionist needs to speak to a vet.

“It’s just so upsetting. Who steals from a charity?”

Staff noticed that it was missing on the evening of Tuesday, February 27 and think someone must have snuck in off the street and taken it.

Julie also volunteers for the Wildlife Aid Foundation at the weekends alongside Lynsey Butler who does work experience at easipetcare.

She added: “I lead a team who care for all the injured and orphaned animals such as hedgehogs, squirrels, pigeons, foxes, owls and badgers.

“We feed them, clean them out and just make sure they are cared for while they are in the hospital.

“I know first-hand how much the charity relies on donations, so to lose the money our customers had kindly put in the tin is devastating.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Wildlife Aid Foundation can text WILD5 to 70300 to donate £5.