Please note -

With current high temperatures, please DO NOT bring dogs when visiting Raystede as they are at risk of heat stroke. Please keep dogs at home in the cool.

Book your visit Contact us Peaceways Pet Crematorium

Our Sanctuary

We offer a welcoming sanctuary and safe haven for terrapins, chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese, as well as wildlife.

Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary area is made up of 9.5 acres of land and two large lakes, one of which houses Project Terrapin – our terrapin sanctuary – and the other usually provides a home to a variety of domestic fowl and wildfowl.

In this area, we care for over 100 terrapins as well as a variety of hens, cockerels, turkeys, ducks and geese.

Dogs on leads are very welcome on the designated dog walking path in this area.

Book your visit

Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary area is made up of 9.5 acres of land and two large lakes, one of which houses Project Terrapin – our terrapin sanctuary – and the other usually provides a home to a variety of domestic fowl and wildfowl.

In this area, we care for over 100 terrapins as well as a variety of hens, cockerels, turkeys, ducks and geese.

Dogs on leads are very welcome on the designated dog walking path in this area.

Book your visit

Project Terrapin

Project Terrain consists of intake and isolation units, training pools, soft release pond, main lake, educational facility and a basking beach.

When terrapins first arrive at Raystede, they are usually in poor health. They will be monitored and cared for until they are strong enough to be released into our indoor training pools. They are likely to still be quite weak with poor muscle strength so this will give them the chance to build up their health. Once we believe they have gained enough strength to live outside, they will be released into our soft release pond and ultimately the main lake. The lake has capacity for around 300 terrapins and there will be a beach for them to bask on.

Terrapins will have sanctuary at Raystede for the rest of their lives. We will not be putting them up for adoption.

Find out more about Project Terrapin

Chickens

The chickens we care for are usually ex-commercial hens that were kept in confined spaces and used for egg production. Had we not rescued them, they would have been sent for slaughter around the age of 18 months old. Many of them are very scared and missing feathers when they arrive at Raystede but we care for them and make sure they become happy and healthy hens again. They still lay eggs and do a great job of trimming back the weeds!

View chickens and fowl available for rehoming, or apply to adopt.

Chickens

The chickens we care for are usually ex-commercial hens that were kept in confined spaces and used for egg production. Had we not rescued them, they would have been sent for slaughter around the age of 18 months old. Many of them are very scared and missing feathers when they arrive at Raystede but we care for them and make sure they become happy and healthy hens again. They still lay eggs and do a great job of trimming back the weeds!

View chickens and fowl available for rehoming, or apply to adopt.

Turkeys

We have one male turkey, Gregory Peck here at Raystede. Gregory is a very proud and protective turkey who is not particularly keen on strangers and patrols the fence to keep his territory safe. Once you get to know him you'll realise he's a very gentle boy at heart. Did you know that you can sponsor Gregory Peck?

Geese

Raystede is also home to a small flock of geese, who are also available for rehoming. View geese available for rehoming, or apply to adopt.

Geese

Raystede is also home to a small flock of geese, who are also available for rehoming. View geese available for rehoming, or apply to adopt.

Meet Albert, who is one of our most heartwarming transformations.

When Albert arrived at Raystede, he was nervous, underweight and suffering with painful patches of dry skin and sore joints.

At Raystede, we don’t just rehome animals, we rehabilitate them first, giving the best chance at a happy and healthy life. From healthcare to behavioural therapy, every step of their journey is carefully guided so they can trust again.

You can make a difference. A gift today will help make sure we can continue to care for all our animals, giving them the love and care they deserve.

Donate