May 18, 2026
A 91-year-old woman in Sussex has spent more than half a century doing something extraordinary—quietly, consistently, and without ever stepping away.
Her name is Barby Keel, founder of the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. She began the sanctuary in 1979 with just three animals and a simple goal: to take in the ones nobody else wanted. Abandoned pets, injured strays, and cases others turned away all found their way to her care. What started in a four-acre field with a caravan slowly grew into a lifelong mission.
Today, the sanctuary is home to more than 600 animals—including cats, dogs, chickens, pigs, and goats—supported by a dedicated team of volunteers. Over the decades, Barby has helped care for more than 10,000 animals, one rescue at a time, through steady daily work that has continued for over 50 years.
Despite facing cancer multiple times, she has never stepped away. She still feeds, cleans, and works at the sanctuary well into her 90s. “That’s not what I’m here for. I’m here doing a job that I love doing and wouldn’t have it any different,” she said. “I’ll do anything for my animals.”
Now, after decades of work, Barby has been invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her lifelong dedication. The invitation came as a surprise. “It was a bit of a shock because I wasn’t expecting it,” she said, adding that she will be attending on behalf of her team, supporters, and the animals.
Her team shared their pride in a post to Facebook, saying they were “so pleased for her” after she finally received recognition for her work. But even as she prepares for the royal event, Barby remains focused on the same reality she’s always faced: an ongoing need for help, with the sanctuary still stretched and animals continuing to arrive.
She noted 2026 was already the “worst year ever” for animals needing to be rehomed and is appealing for donations. Even though they are full, they always make room. She’s thankful that they are finding homes for many of the animals but the need is constant.
She still loves seeing the animals each day, the volunteers and the cats running up to greet them – particularly the traumatized animals, which receive extra care.
At the heart of it all, her story isn’t about awards or numbers. It’s about showing up—every day—for the ones who had nowhere else to go.
To help support Barbra’s sanctuary make a donation at: barbykeelanimalsanctuary.org/
