Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare Reviews 9

If possible, I'd give this place 6 stars! Situated in East Sussex, it's open to the public and operates on donations for entry, which is absolutely worth it. They provide new homes for dogs, cats, birds, and other animals. As you explore the area, you'll notice spacious pens for the animals, especially the dogs, and you might come across donkeys and horses. There's also a cafe, a charity shop, and a pond filled with ducks and geese, where you can feed them free corn. It's an exceptional destination, even surpassing local zoos. I highly recommend visiting, and who knows, you might find a new furry friend to take home.

This is an animal rescue centre. It's not a zoo, farm and exists to care, rehabilitate, feed, keep warm and re-home some of the animals. Some of the animals will be frightened and distressed. The staff here have to put the care and keep of the animals first. If you visit and don't see many of the animals there's a good reason. They are being cared for appropriately. It's free to attend and walk around but you must book prior to coming. A donation is of course always welcome and helps to continue the amazing work the teams here do. I worked here years ago as a volunteer and the animals have to take priority.

Having to contact a pet crematorium sadly only means one thing. But the service I received from Jeff was great and he was extremely helpful during this distressing time. I can’t thank him enough for his swift response and accommodating my needs. He even collected my beloved cat from the vet to save me the additional grief. And within 48 hours of contact I collected my girls ashes and had closure.

This review is specifically for Peaceways, Raystede’s pet crematorium.

We can’t recommend them enough, we’ve used their service three times now, and in each instance the compassion and service received by Jeff, the manager, has been absolutely faultless; he went above and beyond to ensure we could have the best memorials possible.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but Peaceways gives you the opportunity to have a proper send off for your much loved animals. The location is, as the name suggests, very peaceful, it’s the perfect environment to say your final goodbyes.

We have opted for their custom engraved plaque caskets (of which there is an excellent selection with plenty of variety) on each occasion, and they are absolutely beautiful.

Thank you, Jeff, Peaceways & Raystede, for all that you do, and for giving us that much needed closure during our most difficult times.

Kind regards,
Jane, Chelsea and Ben

Requirements for adopting ANY animal highly above what is necessary.

The staff are great,providing the animals with outstanding habitats,especially the rabbits.

I had a weird experience while waiting to be served in the lovely cafe,a young man pushed in front of me and Mia,one of your employees, pointed out that I was waiting. with that he turned on her repeatedly calling her rude she was NOT.He has a real problem.

Becky in the cafe (about 1p.m.)witnessed this and was diplomatic

Mia is a credit to your charity

Big up South London(she's from Streatham, I'm from Lambeth.

I applied to foster an animal from here as they were saying they were desperate. I’m a ex vet nurse with lots of space and a quiet home . I never even had a reply back , I spent so much time on my foster application and have good references .
Reading the reviews about your cafe not being vegan too, this is very odd!

The sanctuary itself was lovely, and the grounds very large and beautifully kept. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, and overall it was a great day out.

However I don’t understand how an animal sanctuary can ethically serve animal flesh. Which animals are worth rescuing, and which are seen as commodities for ‘food’? How is that distinction made? There were hens that were quite rightly rescued from horrible factory farm conditions, however the café food included eggs and meat that came from animals living in very similar conditions to the ones that were rescued!

Surely an animal sanctuary should abide by its principles of protecting the vulnerable, voiceless animals, and not serve them up as 'food.'

Come on Raystede, it’s time to join the growing number of vegan animal rescue centres and practice your principle of alleviating animal cruelty by not viewing animals as food!

This place is amazing 6 stars if I could this place is open to the public based in East Sussex, donation on entry but worth it they rehome dogs, cats, birds and other animals when you walk around there site you see animals in shelter but their pens are huge the dogs pens are massive there are donkeys and horses there is a cafe and charity shop and a duck and geese pond with free corn to feed them it is a wonderful place to visit better than local zoos.
I really hope you see for yourself and maybe find a pet friend there.