About
The Retreat was born in 1989 out of frustration at the way the human race treats animals. A rescue centre which would save tormented, abused, sick, injured and unwanted animals from certain death was therefore founded.
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Some of our residents include: ex-race horses, ex-riding school ponies, injured live export sheep, cows saved from slaughter, ex-petting farm goats, injured birds, ferrets, Christmas turkeys, worn-out battery hens, disabled non-releasable wildlife, fish, small domestics, old or feral and FIV cats, and dogs who have failed behaviour tests in other dog homes.
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We offer specialised care for the animals who we take in. We are a not-for-profit organisation and all the Trustees and most of the volunteers being vegan.
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All funds raised go to the welfare of the animals, being cared for. We also use the funds for The Retreat's facilities and where possible, animals are re-homed in permanent, loving homes.
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The Retreat operates a genuine no-kill policy.
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Our site accommodates our main rescue centre and, wildlife hospital to deal with most animal intakes and emergencies, together with our permanent horses, cows and sheep residents.
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We now have ample room to care for more animals, our intensive and equine re-homing centre, along with care-for-life wildlife and exotics.
The number of animals being cared for by The Retreat is over 1,000 at any one time.
We believe all animals deserve to be equally treated and free.
We strive for a vegan world where no animal suffers and all live a happy life.
Our Mission
The Retreat finds the continued exploitation, abuse, bullying, violence against and murder of animals in today's society totally degrading and unacceptable.
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We are pressing for a more enlightened world where humans remember their dignity and show compassion and love to all others, regardless of sex, race, age, gender, disability or species.
Our Aims
The Retreat offers much needed support to all animals - farmed, domestic and wild. Our aims are to educate the public that all animals need commitment, love and respect, also that animals should be neutered to avoid more unwanted litters, and are given the care they need.
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​By rehoming animals we can free space to rescue more abused animals.
All the animals are given the time, veterinary care and love they need to recover before being re-homed.​ If a suitable home cannot be found they are never killed, they simply stay at The Retreat for the rest of their lives.
The Team
 Billy | Founder & Project Director |  Lil | Trustee & Cafe Volunteer |  Scott | Duty Manager |
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 Neil | Head Chef |  Rose | Duty Manager |  Alfie | Youth Volunteer Coordinator |
 Kate | Horse Carer |  TB Sue | Transporter |  Gina | Horse Team Secretary |
 Sally & Mark | Field Marshals |  Sue and Ronnie | Fundraisers |  Harry | Cafe's Chief Bottle Wash |
 Pj | Wildlife |  Yvonne | Cafe Team Leader |  Sorrell | Farm Animal Carer |
 Charlie | Part-time Horse Carer |  Mandie, Pash and Sam (left to right) | Saturday horse team |  Mandie | Trustee & Saturday horse team |
 Sam | Farm Animal Carer |  Sue B | HR & Sunday Thrift Shop Team |  Morag | Farm Carer |
 Matthew | Animal Carer |  Cara | Treatment Zone and Trustee |  Dave | Maintenance & Photography |
 Jo | Maintenance & Photography |  John | The Retreat's Digger man |  Chris | Café |
 Poonam | Senior Cat Fosterer |  Zoe | Treatment Area |  Janette | Transporter |
 Leeanna Rose | Horse Team |  Nicky | Hospital Area |  Jeneen | Homechecker |
Let's double in size
With 1,250+ animal residents and 20,000+ animals saved over our 30 years of operation, there's land on sale next to The Retreat and we have to double in size so we can help many more animals! For them.
All they need is your help <3
HELP us help them AT:
Gofundme.com/