What's new

• News
• 26 June 2025

Join our team of friendly volunteers

Come along to find out more at our Volunteer Drop-in Days being held throughout July.

• Blog
• 23 June 2025

Raystede team member to take on an epic fundraising cycling challenge!

A member of Raystede’s Estates Team will be saddling up and taking on a 1,000-mile bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats all in aid of the Ringmer-based animal welfare charity.

• Blog
• 19 June 2025

Top tips to keep your animals cool this summer!

We use some very cheap and easy hacks to help keep our Raystede residents cool. You can even try these at home!

• Blog
• 13 June 2025

A Life in Feathers: Reflecting on over three decades of caring for parrots at Raystede

Last week (2-8 June) was Parrot Awareness Week and to mark this, Sarah Gorringe, our Aviaries Manager shares some of her memories of working at Raystede for over 30 years including why she has devoted her career to caring for so many wonderful exotic birds.

• Blog
• 11 June 2025

Rabbit Day at Raystede

Hop down to Raystede for our Raystede Rabbit Day and learn all about rabbits and how to care for them. We have a range of activities available on Sunday 29 June between 10am to 4pm.

• Blog
• 2 June 2025

Celebrating the value of volunteers at Raystede.

This National Volunteers Week (2-8 June 2025), we will be celebrating the vital role that volunteers play in the day to day running of Raystede as well as highlighting some of the many volunteering roles that we have available.

• News
• 9 May 2025

Raystede at Goodwoof

Goodwoof is a dog event like no other. Taking place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, the show offers the chance to celebrate everything we love about our canine companions.

• Blog
• 7 April 2025

Raystede Day at the Arlington Bluebell Walk - Monday 14 April 2025

Join us and walk through bluebells and white anemones across the beautiful 24 acre Arlington woodlands to raise funds for animals in need.

• Blog
• 2 April 2025

Take on 50 Miles in May for animals in need

We are excited to announce the return of our popular '50 Miles in May' challenge for 2025.

• Blog
• 13 March 2025

Lewes MP visits Raystede.

Raystede was delighted to welcome the MP for Lewes, James MacCleary along with his family, for a visit to our site in Ringmer.

• Blog
• 7 March 2025

The latest issue of the Raystede Magazine is here!

Our Raystede Spring 2025 magazine is now available to read online. The current issue of our magazine is packed with articles and updates providing an update on everything that’s been happening at Raystede.

• Blog
• 5 March 2025

Understanding laminitis in equines

In this blog our Equine Team guide you through Laminitis and how to spot, manage and prevent it.

• Blog
• 28 February 2025

Common misconceptions about adopting a rescue animal – Cats

Have a question about adopting a cat? Let's clear up some common misconceptions...

• Blog
• 14 February 2025

How to keep your horses and donkeys warm in winter

Winter can be tough when caring for horses who have different needs, but we can offer some tips for anyone who needs support caring for them over the winter months.

• Blog
• 11 February 2025

Discover pre-loved treasures at our new charity shop in Langney Shopping Centre, Eastbourne!

We are pleased to announce the opening of our latest charity shop, located in the Langney Shopping Centre in Eastbourne.

• Blog
• 20 January 2025

Running for Raystede - Runner Spotlight

One of the runners joining #TeamRaystede at the Brighton Half Marathon in March will be Pippa Watson. Pippa is an Animal Care Assistant here at Raystede, and has chosen to run for the charity in this year’s event.

• News
• 9 December 2024

Raystede announces new Patron

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare is pleased to announce that the Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Jo Shiner has been named as one of the charity’s Patrons.

• Blog
• 28 November 2024

Keeping your animals warm and safe this winter

Just like us, animals feel the cold; here are some top tips from Raystede’s animal care teams with some suggestions of how you can help keep your animals warm this winter.

• Blog
• 19 November 2024

Celebrate Small Animals this November at Raystede

On Saturday 30 November, we will be hosting a day dedicated to small animals and their welfare needs. From mice, hamsters and guinea pigs to degus, rats, and rabbits, the day will provide an opportunity for both existing pet owners and potential owners to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

• Blog
• 17 November 2024

Christmas at Raystede

From getting involved in Christmas Jumper Day to new Christmas e-cards, here's everything to get you feeling festive!

• Success Stories
• 11 November 2024

Ruby

Ruby spent 827 days in our care. She is now living her best life.

• Success Stories
• 7 November 2024

Loki

One of our STAR dogs, Loki took time to find the right home but is settling in perfectly.

• Success Stories
• 1 November 2024

Buddy

Young Buddy's journey to a new home.

• Blog
• 28 October 2024

Your pets and fireworks

Read our top 10 tips to help reduce stress in your pet caused by fireworks.

• Blog
• 2 October 2024

Adoption Top Tips

When it comes to rehoming, a little bit more time researching the animals that are available and telling us more about yourself may speed up your adoption process.

• Success Stories
• 1 October 2024

Proki

Proki the Greyhound found his forever home!

• Blog
• 22 September 2024

Latest issue of the Raystede Magazine

Our Raystede magazine is now available to read online.

• Blog
• 8 August 2024

Celebrating Sensational Seniors – why older cats make wonderful pets

Here at Raystede we often find that it’s the older cats in our care that can take a bit longer to rehome than the youngsters. But while we are obvious advocates for adoption of all types of animals, breeds and ages, we do have a soft spot for some of our seniors and here we share a little more about why these cats make wonderful companions.

• Success Stories
• 1 August 2024

Koda

One husky’s happy ending.

• Blog
• 17 July 2024

Join #TeamRaystede for the challenge of a lifetime!

If you are looking for a new challenge this summer and want to push yourself out of your comfort zone, then our fundraising events might just be what you’re looking for! From a hair-raising abseil to a high-flying wing-walk, are you looking to inject a sense of adventure into your year? Then why not challenge yourself and become a #TeamRaystede animal hero?

• Blog
• 9 July 2024

Chief Constable of Sussex Police Visits Raystede

We recently welcomed the Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Jo Shiner to Raystede. During her visit, the Chief Constable learnt more about our vital work helping both animals and pet owners right across Sussex and the wider region.

• News
• 22 May 2024

Cat Microchipping Day - Friday 7 June

Having your cat microchipped is the best way of being reunited with them if they go missing. From Monday 10 June 2024, a new law comes in requiring cats in England to be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they’re 20 weeks old.

• Blog
• 13 March 2024

How we are providing help and support to people and their pets

Wherever possible, the Raystede team are here to help and provide advice to any pet owner experiencing difficulties and we always have the animal's best interests in mind.

• News
• 23 February 2024

Peaceways Pet Crematorium and Garden of Remembrance Open Day

On Sunday 24 March, 10am to 2pm, join us at our Peaceways open day and find out more about England's first Pet Crematorium.

• News
• 22 February 2024

Dynamic duo to take on abseil challenge for Raystede in superhero style!

Raystede's Chief Executive, Stephanie Smith together with one of our charity’s Honorary Ambassadors, Jason Burrill are gearing up to transform into the dynamic duo Batman and Robin as they take on a daring abseil from Brighton’s i360.

• News
• 10 January 2024

Emergency Fostering Appeal

We urgently need more foster carers to join our Break Away scheme. The scheme helps owners who are fleeing domestic abuse or facing short-term hospitalisation and need temporary care for their animals.

• Blog
• 2 November 2023

Raystede is taking part in the Brighton & Hove Santa Bus!

Brighton & Hove Buses’ Santa Bus is once again returning to the city in support of 20 community charities, including Raystede.

• Blog
• 1 November 2023

Keeping your animals safe during Storm Ciarán

Storms can be stressful for pets, but we're here to help with some tips to keep you and your animal safe.

• Blog
• 20 October 2023

Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex visits Raystede projects old and new

Our Patron-in-Chief, The Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex spent the day with us, meeting staff and volunteers.

• Blog
• 27 September 2023

Love Chloe and Bagelman Join Paws to Support Raystede

Love Chloe, Bagelman, and Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare have joined paws in a remarkable collaboration. As part of this exciting joint venture, Love Chloe will be baking delicious homemade, gluten-free, vegan dog biscuits for Bagelman to sell in their Hove store along Church Road, with 100% of the profits going to Raystede.

• News
• 11 September 2023

Guinea Pig Awareness Day - 23 September 2023

Pop to Raystede between 10am to 4pm to learn more about how to keep guinea pigs happy and healthy.

• Blog
• 29 August 2023

Raystede Top Tips for happy and healthy guinea pigs

• Blog
• 10 August 2023

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie release coincides with terrapin sanctuary at Raystede

The recent release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, Mutant Mayhem, has struck a chord with Raystede as we are currently creating a unique sanctuary for injured and abandoned terrapins.

• Blog
• 5 July 2023

The perfect day out for you and your pooch!

Raystede is looking radiant with flowers blooming and our equines are peacefully grazing in the fields. As the weather improves, heading out for a long walk with your best four-legged, canine, pal is a daily must. It just so happens that Raystede provides the perfect day out for people and their pet pooches.

• News
• 2 June 2023

Find out about Raystede's rabbit awareness events!

In celebration of rabbit Awareness week we are holding a range of rabbit focused events at Raystede.

• News
• 14 April 2023

Are you a horse owner, rider, trainer, coach or just someone who would like to gain a better understanding of horses?

Come along to our Equine Therapy Demonstration Day at Raystede on Saturday 22 April 2023!

• Blog
• 12 April 2023

Raystede's Education Team are coming to Hastings with free pet advice!

We have a number of pop-up sessions across the Hastings and St Leonards area in April, May and June.

• Blog
• 8 March 2023

The problems with hatching projects

As your local animal welfare charity, Raystede is trying to raise awareness about the problems with hatching projects and encourage schools to use other ways of teaching life cycles.

• Blog
• 10 February 2023

Raystede backs RWAF campaign for change in legislation to improve rabbit welfare

RWAF is demanding a change in legislation to ensure rabbit breeders require the same licensing as dog and cat breeders to ensure rabbits are no longer subjected to poor welfare.

• Blog
• 17 November 2022

How Raystede is helping

This animal welfare crisis is caused by a rise in pet ownership rates colliding with cost-of-living pressures.

• News
• 3 November 2022

Raystede’s Lewes charity shop celebrates first birthday on Tuesday 8 November!

• News
• 29 September 2022

Raystede Tack Sale Saturday 1 October 2022

The event will take place in our equine barn between 1pm – 3pm.

• News
• 9 September 2022

Raystede is deeply saddened by the news of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II (8/9/2022)

• Blog
• 1 July 2022

Brave fundraisers take on the iDrop Challenge

As the sun set over Brighton’s scenic coast we had 26 brave fundraisers drop 162m to raise money for Raystede.

• Blog
• 17 May 2022

A guide to your day at Raystede

As the sun is starting to shine, why not add a visit to Raystede to your summer ‘to do’ list?

• Success Stories
• 3 March 2021

Tilly

Tilly had severe laminitis and diabetes and her owner felt completely overwhelmed at the complexity of treating Tilly's conditions.

• Success Stories
• 3 March 2021

Flint

Thanks to your donations we were able to rehabilitate Flint and find him a home. We couldn't have done it without you.

• News
• 23 February 2021

The heart warming story of Lucy and her kittens

In September, we had a lovely female tabby cat come in. She was a stray and heavily pregnant. We named her Lucy.