The chief executive of a national pets charity has died following a short illness.
Adrian Burder, the head of the Dogs Trust organisation that cares for hounds without homes all across the UK, died aged 53 on Wednesday.
Mr Burder had been with the charity for 24 years, and initially joined as a fundraiser.
But through his commitment to the cause, he eventually became the chief executive in 2014.
The Dogs Trust revealed that part of the legacy left behind by Mr Burder – who was Welsh – will be its new rehoming centre in Carfiff, due to open in 2020.
Mr Burder was also the chairman of Dogs Trust Ireland, and he established Dogs Trust Worldwide – a group that awards grants to other organisations and runs conferences to allow Dogs Trust UK to share its expertise around the world.
Before he joined the charity, Mr Burder worked for the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, and the TV licensing department of the Post Office.
The charity’s active chief executive and finance director Jim Monteith paid tribute to the animal lover in a statement released by the Dogs Trust.
He said: “Adrian was one of a kind – his passion for animal welfare changed the lives of millions of dogs in the 24 years he was at Dogs Trust.
“He will be terribly missed by staff, trustees and volunteers past and present who are so grateful for his immeasurable contribution to making the world a better place for man’s best friend.
“We are still letting this tragic news sink in.
“Adrian has been an integral part of our charity for so many years, as a hugely successful fundraiser and then as chief executive.”
During his time overseeing fundraising for the charity, Mr Burder grew the Dogs Trust’s income from £3million to £100million, and he was a key part of the organisation’s rebrand in 2003, when it changed its name from the National Canine Defence League.
He is survived by his wife and two children
