[1] The animal welfare hospital takes its name from the character in the children's story The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, by English writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter.

In 1978, Les and Sue Stocker and their son Colin started caring for injured wild animals.

In the following years, their activities began to attract attention and led to increasing numbers of animals being brought into their home.

[4] Les Stocker was the recipient of a Rolex Award for Enterprise in 1990 for his work at the hospital.

[5] Beginning in July 2008, Tiggywinkles was the setting for Wild Animal ER, a 20-part, half-hour documentary TV series presented by Kate Gerbeau, and shown on Channel Five in the UK.