The Sanctuary was founded in 1993 by Kim Olson and her husband Allan Pettersson who returned from studying wildlife management and working in Tanzania. The Sanctuary now treats hundred of injured or abandoned wildlife each year, without discrimination. The aim is still the same - to release the animal back to the wild.

The Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre is located in Ulgham in Morpeth, Northumberand. It is a family run, not for profit organisation caring for unwanted or injured animals across the north of England. The Sanctuary relies upon donations , fundraising and income from visitors to continue its work caring for wildlife. The Sanctuary offers personal tours of the centre and the animals in care, throughout the year. Unique in the North East, The Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre offers visitors of all ages and abilities the opportunity to see most species of British wildlife including foxes, badgers, deer, owls and hedgehogs. It also has viewing available from its purpose built wildlife hide. The Sanctuary also has car parking, children's play area, shop and tea room.