A Lifetime Of Compassion: 90-Year-Old Barby Keel And Her Relentless Mission To Rescue Animals

June 3, 2025

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At 90 years old, Barby Keel could be forgiven for wanting a quiet life. But instead of slowing down, the Sussex-based animal rescuer remains firmly committed to the cause she’s championed for over five decades. Since founding the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary 54 years ago, she has saved more than 10,000 animals from abuse, neglect, and abandonment—a staggering feat made more impressive by the fact that she has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

Keel’s journey began humbly in the 1970s. A British Army soldier, preparing for deployment to Northern Ireland, asked her to watch his dog while he was away. The dog never left. That initial act of kindness marked the beginning of what would become a lifelong calling. Soon after, a local charity—Bexhill Cats Club—approached her to care for several cats. “Before long, I had about 40 cats,” Keel recalled in an interview with SWNS. “Then I started taking in farm animals like sheep, cows, pigs, and goats.”

From that modest beginning, the sanctuary now sprawls across 12 acres and provides shelter for more than 600 animals. Among them are 160 cats, 16 pigs, 8 dogs, 6 horses, 100 chickens, and 80 rabbits. Though many of the smaller animals are rehomed, the majority remain on-site for life, enjoying a peaceful existence on the farm. “Some of the animals are rehomed, like the cats, dogs, and some rabbits,” she explained, “but the majority will stay on the farm and live out their days here.”

For the first 20 years, Keel ran the sanctuary single-handedly. Today, she works alongside a dedicated team of volunteers—her “motley crew,” as she affectionately calls them. “I’m so grateful to my volunteers—they keep everything running—and the generous public,” she said. “I know I’m getting older so I know my limitations. I don’t deal with the big animals anymore, but I still get up every morning to feed all the cats and see them all.”

What makes her story even more extraordinary is her perseverance in the face of adversity. Keel has battled cancer three times, yet she has never considered stepping away from her duties. “Some days I am shattered—it’s hard work,” she admits. “But then I get a little nose ‘boop’ or a face peers up at me, and I remember why I’m doing this. My animals come first and always will.”

That unwavering dedication has come at personal cost. Years ago, Keel ended a long-term relationship when her partner presented her with an ultimatum: him or the animals. “I chose the animals,” she said simply, a decision that encapsulates her fierce sense of purpose.

Beyond rescuing animals, Keel is also committed to helping people care for their own pets. Using her own pension, she purchases bulk animal food and sells it at discounted prices to help those struggling with the rising cost of pet care. “We also run a shop on site,” she noted, “and I buy bulk food with my pension money and sell it for cheap, so people can afford to feed their pets.”

The sanctuary, a nonprofit organization sustained entirely by donations, has recently reopened to the public. It is free to visit every Sunday through October 2025. Visitors are welcome to meet the animals, enjoy refreshments at the café, browse the souvenir shop, or explore the vivarium.

Despite her age, Keel has no interest in retirement. She leaves the sanctuary only every few weeks, typically for shopping trips or to play darts with a local men’s team—an activity she cherishes. “It’s a good life,” she says, smiling. And with no plans to slow down, Keel continues to prove that love, grit, and purpose are timeless virtues.