A 90-year-old Englishwoman who owns an animal rescue sanctuary has reportedly rescued 10,000 animals from abuse or abandonment.
Barby Keel has dedicated 54 years to running the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary in Sussex, UK, a long journey that she admits won’t come to an end anytime soon, provided she can stay on her feet.
Keel’s story began in the 1970s, when a British army soldier stationed in Northern Ireland asked her to watch his dog while he was deployed. Whatever gravitational pull attracts animals to certain individuals, Keel’s was so strong that the dog decided to stay.
She took in another dog before a charity called the Bexhill Cats Club asked her to take in some cats. Fast-forward 50 years and she looks after more than 600 animals including 160 cats, 16 pigs, 8 dogs, 6 horses, 100 chickens, and 80 rabbits.
“Before long I had about 40 cats, and started taking in farm animals like sheep, cows, pigs, and goats,” she told the SWNS media outlet.
“Some of the animals are re-homed, liked the cats, dogs, and some rabbits, but the majority of them will stay on the farm and live out their days here.”
The 12-acre sanctuary, which she ran for 20 years all by herself but now manages with a “motley” crew of volunteers, provides a refuge for hundreds of abandoned, rescued, or abused animals from farms, kennels, or private owners.
Keel tends to the animals daily, and only leaves the sanctuary every few weeks to go shopping or play for the local male darts team. In fact, despite her advanced age, she “never” takes a day off.
Despite having battled cancer three times, the animal-lover says she has “no plans” to slow down or retire.