'It's me or the animals': Meet the 90-year-old woman who has saved over 10,000 lives and still isn't done

Nestled in the quiet greenery of Bexhill, Sussex, a sanctuary breathes with the soft rustling of rabbits, the cluck of hens finally tasting freedom, and the purring of once-lost cats now safe. According to a report from Sussex Express, this is no ordinary animal shelter. It is the life’s work—and life itself—of 90-year-old Barby Keel, a woman whose devotion to animals has spanned over five decades, rescuing more than 10,000 creatures and counting.

While most people her age slow down or retire, Barby begins each day at 7 a.m., tending to the 600+ animals in her care. Her unwavering commitment is nothing short of heroic. And she’s not planning to stop anytime soon.

No Days Off, Just Nose Boops and Heartbeats
Barby laughs when people remind her of her age. “I’m always told I don’t seem like I’m 90,” she says with a smile. “Hard work and a breakfast of beans every morning keeps me going.”

Her daily routine is gruelling, but it’s the little things—the soft brush of a rabbit’s whiskers, the warm nuzzle from a dog, the silent gratitude in an animal’s eyes—that fuel her. “Some days I am shattered. But then I get a little nose boop or a face peer up at me, and I remember why I’m doing this,” she says. “My animals come first and always will.”

From Caravan Dreams to a 12-Acre Sanctuary
Barby never planned to be a rescuer. In the 1970s, she bought four acres of land with her partner, hoping to build a home. But fate had other ideas. A soldier heading to Northern Ireland asked her to care for his dog, Cat. The dog never left. Then a local charity asked her to take in some cats. “I lived in a caravan so I could dedicate most of the space to the animals,” she recalls.

Eventually, Barby faced a painful choice: her partner or her animals. Her answer was unwavering. “He said, ‘It’s me or the animals.’ So I packed his bags. The animals were everything to me—and they still are.”

With grit and grace, Barby expanded her land to 12 acres and built the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary, now home to pigs, horses, chickens, goats, and more. Many animals are rescued from abusive situations or industries that discarded them. While some are rehomed, most live out their days under Barby’s care.

Battling Cancer, But Not Slowing Down
Barby has survived cancer three times. Still, she never took a day off. She now has a dedicated team of 14 volunteers, her “motley crew,” who help keep the sanctuary running. “I know my limitations,” she admits, “but I keep myself moving. Caring for the animals gives me focus.”

She rarely leaves the sanctuary—except for groceries or the occasional darts game with the local men’s team. At home, ten cats share her space, including Poppy, a sprightly 24-year-old.

A Sanctuary for All—Including Humans
The sanctuary recently reopened its gates to the public, welcoming visitors every Sunday until October 2025. It’s more than just a place for rescued animals. With a quaint café, plant stalls, souvenir shop, and tombola, it’s a haven of healing and connection for visitors, too.

Barby even uses her pension to buy bulk pet food, selling it at minimal prices to ensure no animal in the community goes hungry. “It’s tiring,” she confesses, “but it’s all worth it for the animals.”

In a world often too hurried to care, Barby Keel’s story stands still like a candle in the wind—resilient, glowing, and deeply moving. She is more than a rescuer; she is a life-giver, a soul nourished by selfless love.

There are no retirement plans in her diary—just feeding schedules, volunteer shifts, and the quiet joy of knowing her life’s purpose is being lived, fully and fiercely.