● Programs
About Us
The Retreat was born in 1989 out of frustration at the way the human race treats animals.
The Retreat was born as a rescue centre which would save tormented, abused, sick, injured and unwanted animals from certain death — a vital mission which it still carries out to this day.
We believe all animals have a right to freedom and equal treatment.
We strive for a vegan world where no animal suffers and all live a happy life.
● Program Overview
Who Calls The Retreat “Home”?
Some of our residents include:
Christmas turkeys
ex-riding school ponies
injured live export sheep
cows saved from slaughter
ex-petting farm goats
injured birds
ferrets
ex-racing horses
worn-out battery hens
disabled non-releasable wildlife
fish
small domestic animals
old or feral and FIV cats
and dogs who have failed behaviour tests in other dog homes
We Are a Vegan Sanctuary
We offer specialised care for the animals who we take in. We are a not-for profit organisation and all of our Trustees and most of our volunteers are vegan. Find out what veganism means here.
How We Fund Our Sanctuary
All funds raised go towards the welfare of the animals being cared for. We also use the funds for The Retreat’s facilities, which now include several small shops, a fully plant-based grocery store, and a vegan restaurant-cafe, all of which raise money towards the running of The Retreat.
What Happens to Our Residents?
The Retreat operates a genuine no-kill policy. Where possible, animals are rehomed into safe, loving, appropriate homes. We also have permanent residents including horses, cows, and sheep.
Home to Over a Thousand Animals
The Retreat cares for over 1000 animals at any one time, and is even home to our own wildlife hospital and emergency rescue centre. The running costs of The Retreat are over £800 per day just for animal care alone.
● Sanctuary Life
Our Residents’ Schedules
Wake up to eat breakfast
6:00 AMSleep
8:45 amEat some more
9–12:15 pmSiesta (sleep)
12:45 pmSnack time
2 – 4 PMNap time
4:15 PMCud with the buds
6 PMPre-night-time mini-sleep
7 PMEat a little more (just in case we get hungry overnight)
8 PM● Core Team
Meet the Founder
Billy Thompson
Billy has always taken animals in need under his wing — from dogs and cats to wildlife and, of course, farmed animals. When he was young, it was his sister Lil that helped him, and his parents always supported them. Billy’s family is still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of The Retreat.
Founder @ The Retreat Animal SanctuaryA tour of the sanctuary with founder Billy. Get to know the Retreat like the back of your hand and hear all of Billy’s many stories with this exclusive behind-the-scenes!
Billy’s Books
Billy’s books provide a hilarious and heartwarming insight into his life rescuing animals, from his boyhood days up until life running The Retreat.
Funds raised from the purchase of the books go towards helping support The Retreat Animal Rescue.
In this unforgettable book, The Retreat's founder Billy Thompson shares the story of a life driven by compassion and care for all creatures.
Having had an affinity for animals his entire life, Billy has found that animals needing help have somehow found him over the years - beginning with feral cats, unwanted dogs and even a pony brought to safety on a bus.
This book tells some of the hundreds of Billy's stories, including tricky situations, unlikely friendships and many, many rescues, all driven by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Few of us end up living our passion in the way that Billy does. There is something so pure and single-minded about the way he lives his life that is so utterly selfless and principled, so relentlessly optimistic and decent in defiance of appalling cruelty, that you can’t help feeling better about the world because you know there are people like Billy in it.
Ultimately, this book is about kindness, compassion, and seeing the joy in all of life — the driving forces behind Billy’s way of life and The Retreat Animal Rescue. His tales are captivating and engaging, with Billy’s charm and humour running across every page.
The intensity of Billy’s passion led him to lead a rich, varied and unorthodox life, which is a joy to discover in the pages of The Animal In Me.
This book is a collection of often hilarious anecdotes that illustrate just how gratifying rescuing animals can be.
● FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Retreat is an animal rescue charity based in Ashford, Kent. We exist to save animals in need and to rehabilitate them, and we continue to exist thanks to the generosity of the public. Consider supporting us today.
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The Retreat Animal Rescue is open Thursday to Sunday 12-4pm, from March until October. We are located at Brickyard Farm, Cripple Hill, High Halden, TN26 3LJ.
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You can volunteer at The Retreat if you have at least 4 hours a week to spare on a regular basis. We value commitment, competence, and cultural fit. Many forms of volunteering are physical and involve working outdoors in all weathers, although we can occasionally take on volunteers into adminstrative roles. Please read our Get Involved page for more information.
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The Retreat was founded by Billy Thompson and his husband Neil in 1989.
● Contact
Get In Touch
Thinking about getting involved in a fast-moving, high-impact animal rescue organisation? Want to fundraise for us at a sporting event? Or maybe you’d like to visit for a stroll around the site and to meet the animals at your leisure, perhaps even accompanied by our Founder Billy himself. Drop us a message!