The Wildlife Aid Foundation is a charity dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned animals.

The organisation currently operates on a budget of £350,000 per year and relies on over 300 volunteers to provide an all-year-round service.

In 1996, following a fire that destroyed one third of the hospital complex, Cowell found his organisation reliant on media attention for its continued survival.

Cowell was approached by representatives of the newly formed Animal Planet channel to produce a television series chronicling the drama of life in the wildlife rescue facility.

It experienced long-term success; it has been cited as "the longest-running animal rescue TV series".