Thieves looted expensive cameras, a swan rescue kit and more from an animal shelter in Kibworth.
Burglars cut through perimeter fencing to gain access to Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital on Fleckney Road on Saturday night.
The culprits broke open all of the centre’s storage units, making off with heat mats, hooks and a quantity of dry food intended for hedgehogs and badgers.
The incident took place at some point between 6pm on March 16 and 8.10am on March 17.
Harriet Childs, team leader of animal care, was especially concerned that the swan equipment may be used to illegally trap birds.
She said: “They took quite a lot of expensive equipment.
“We are just trying to make people aware. If you see someone taking a goose or a swan, please ask them what they are doing.
“We always wear hi-vis jackets with our name on when we are out.”
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “On Sunday (17 March) we received a report of burglary that had taken place at a wildlife hospital in Fleckney Road, Kibworth Beauchamp.
“It was reported that various pieces of equipment had been stolen. A boundary fence had also been damaged.
“No arrests have been made at this time.”
Ms Childs said that the thieves ruined all of the centre’s dry food stocks, dumping what they left behind on the gravel driveway.
Fortunately the centre had some wet food to give the animals while they ordered in fresh supplies.
None of the creatures at the centre, which include some 180 hedgehogs, were disturbed during the raid.
The centre posted on its Facebook page on Sunday morning: “They have stacked a small amount up ready to take but got disturbed by the volunteers coming in to work early.
“With over 300 patients in our care at the moment they have stolen valuable animal feeds.
"They have emptied hedgehog and badger food out of storage tubs and filled them with tinned feeds, expensive rescue camera and cage equipment, hand feeding equipment, swan rescuing equipment.
“So mad that that someone thinks they can do this, security cameras are being checked and police have been contacted.
“A very sad day indeed.”
Generous supporters also helped the centre quickly re-stock, with many donations coming in the next day through a Just Giving page.
The centre said on Facebook: “A huge thank you to all that have donated and helped us clean up the mess left by the people that broke in.
“We are extremely grateful for all your help so far.”
Police urged anyone with information to call 101, quoting crime number 19*135787.
You can make a donation on the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital Just Giving page.
More information about the shelter is available on the group’s Facebook page and website .
