Redwood Rescues was opened in Rayleigh at the end of October and has already been involved in more than 100 cases of rescued animals within just under three months.
Peter Redwood-Smith has been an animal lover for his entire life (Image: Peter Redwood-Smith) The centre’s founder, Peter Redwood-Smith, 30, says he has been caring for animals for his entire life – having bought a pet shop at just 19-years-old.
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The rescued creatures have a great life at Redwood (Image: Peter Redwood-Smith) Peter opened the doors to Redwood Rescues having recently returned back to his family’s smallholding in Daws Heath Road, off the A127, after several years living away.
“I started out with a couple of chickens and it escalated from there really,” he explained.
“Since then, we’ve been involved in more than 100 rescue cases and have helped a whole range of animals including bulldogs, rabbits and a bearded dragon.
“I grew up on smallholdings so have always been surrounded by animals – now, everything I do is for them.”
Peter cares for a lot of Chickens at the centre (Image: Peter Redwood-Smith) Peter says he was inspired to start the centre in part due to what he saw as a growing need for animal rescues in the area.
He said: “People have given up their animals for every reason you could imagine.
“I’ve had domestic violence cases where someone has had to flee their house and doesn’t have time to arrange an alternative home for their pet.”
At the age of 19, the lifelong animal lover bought a pet shop on Rayleigh High Street, but sold the business after investing the profits into animal rescue.
The centre cares for animals left without a home (Image: Peter Redwood-Smith) The work done at Redwood Rescues is not easy, with Peter having spent hours of time and thousands of pounds improving the facilities on his family’s smallholding.
“Anything that hasn’t been donated has been bought out of my pocket,” Peter says.
“It’s everything I do, but I love it. I work 12 to 16 hours a day with the animals and that doesn’t leave much time for work or any other commitments.”
Peter is now appealing for donations via an Amazon Wishlist which can be found at www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/31DPE3NSPCGSX