About us

The Devon Wildlife Centre has been developed on the site of Prickly Ball Farm. The farm was sold by the previous owners, Liz and Bill, in 2005, although they continued to live next door to the site. They soon missed caring for wild animals, and in 2007 they opened Devon Wildlife Hospital to care for sick, injured and orphan wildlife so that they could be returned to the wild as soon as possible.

In 2009, Steph and Steve bought Prickly Ball Farm, after it had spent a short time in other hands. They soon became involved with the work of the Hospital, and in 2010 the decision was made to develop a Wildlife Centre to rehabilitate the animals, once they had benefitted from their time in the Wildlife Hospital. Until then, animals had to be transferred to RSPCA West Hatch in Somerset for rehabilitation. Thanks to the work of Steph and Steve, most animals can now be rehabilitated in Devon before release to the wild.

Their aim is to change the emphasis from a children's farm to an Educational Centre for adults and older children, who will also be able to view the work carried out by the Wildlife Hospital. There are permanent animals in the centre – those who are unfit for return to the wild or orphans raised in the centre. In addition the Centre is becoming involved in Conservation projects, such as with Red Squirrels and dormice. Animals which are particularly sensitive are protected from disturbance.

Devon Wildlife Centre is unique – there are no other Centres which care for injured wildlife and also allows visitor access, at the same time emphasising the educational aspect.