Sussex animal charity Raystede confirms aviary closure

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare has confirmed it will press ahead with a major restructure of its services — including closing its on-site aviaries — after recording a deficit of more than £1 million for a second consecutive financial year.

The Ringmer-based charity, which has been rescuing and rehoming animals across East Sussex for more than 70 years, announced the changes this week following a staff consultation process that began at the end of April.

In a statement, Raystede said it had recorded losses exceeding £1 million in both 2024–25 and 2025–26, driven by rising costs for animal food, bedding, veterinary care, utilities, and increases in National Insurance and wages.

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare is located in Ringer, in East Sussex (Image: Supplied)

Chief executive Stephanie Smith had previously warned that the charity was facing "considerable financial difficulties" and that continuing on its current path was not an option.

The most contentious element of the restructure has been the decision to phase out on-site care of aviary birds — home to parrots, cockatoos, budgerigars and other exotic species, many of which have lived at Raystede for years.

The plan sparked a public backlash, with volunteers launching a petition on Change.org calling on the charity to reverse the decision.

Dame Judi Dench was among those who signed the petition.

However, following the consultation, Raystede has modified its original proposals.

The charity says it will now take a "more flexible, welfare-led approach" to the transition, with no fixed closure deadline.

Individual birds will remain in Raystede's care until "suitable welfare outcomes can be achieved," with the charity acknowledging that some may require longer-term care.

Dame Judi Dench signed a petition calling for Raystede to keep its aviary going (Image: Caroline Bonarde Ucci)

Raystede will also phase out on-site care of fowl — chickens, ducks and geese — gradually rehoming those currently at the site.

As part of a wider shift in strategy, Raystede will create a new Animal Welfare Support Team, which the charity says will expand its provision of expert advice, practical guidance and hands-on support for responsible pet ownership — both on-site and across the wider Sussex community.

The restructure will result in some job losses, with the charity acknowledging that certain roles will "change, merge or no longer be required."

New positions will also be created, including within the new Animal Welfare Support Team.

Raystede was founded in 1952 by Miss Mabel Raymonde-Hawkins, who began the sanctuary from her cottage and garden.

Today, it operates across a 43-acre site and cares for more than 2,000 animals a year.

The aviaries at Raystede are popular with visitors (Image: Oast House Archive)

But the charity's finances have been under strain for some years.

In December 2024, Raystede issued an urgent appeal ahead of winter, disclosing that heating and lighting costs alone ran to £360 per day.

The charity's records at the Charity Commission show it had been running deficits for multiple financial years.

The broader pressures on animal welfare charities have been intense.

In January 2024, Raystede reported an all-time high of 4,500 requests for pet intake in a single year, with the charity at capacity and carrying a waiting list of animals requiring help.

Raystede's 43-acre site remains open to visitors, with entry free of charge.

Further information about the changes is available at www.raystede.org/future.