Timeline

Our History – The Story So Far…

Founded by Lesley Tarleton in 1975 and registered as a charity just 4 years later Freshfields Animal Rescue has for over 40 years, provided a place of refuge and rehabilitation to the thousands of animals who have found their way to our door. With us and through us, the unwanted, abandoned, neglected and abused have each found their second chance at life.

In 1986 we opened our Rescue and Rehoming Centre at East Lodge Farm in Ince Blundell. Beginning with the rescue of dogs and cats, our work expanded to provide sanctuary for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals, as well as farm animals, wildlife and birds. In 2002 we were gifted a smallholding in Wales which was to become the second branch of Freshfields Animal Rescue and home to 35 horses and ponies.

Today, across our two sites the charity provides care, support, medical attention and the chance to thrive for a cycle of around 550 animals and wildlife. This work is underpinned by our pro-active rehabilitation, rehoming and release programmes along with our community outreach work.

 

1975

Lesley Tarleton started rescuing animals from home in Formby, following a chance encounter at her vet’s in Liverpool where she saw a dog being put to sleep as it was unwanted by its owner.

Noddy and Lesley

1979

Set up registered charity named ‘Freshfields Animal Rescue’. Began fundraising with friend Mark Stirrup.

hp_small_shots_1

1988

Patsy Fagan and Ron McKnight became part of ‘The Team’.

Both these wonderful people worked tirelessly to help the animals which were quickly filling up the shelter. Ron was our greatest supporter until his death in 2013. Without them we would never have been able to cope with the constant appeals for help we had begun to receive from all over Merseyside.

IMG_0267-768x574

1989

First Kennel Block opened, built by Richard Clarke and team on the existing static caravan site.

Cats were at this time accommodated in the old barn on what is now the Wildlife site.

2015-11-03_14-09-55

1991

Staff rocked by the death of 18 year old fellow worker Mike Hill, killed whilst protesting against a foxhunt .This tragedy, which was widely covered in the media, brought Freshfields to the attention of many other animal lovers throughout the UK, several of whom came to volunteer at the Shelter over the next few years.

Noddy and Lesley

1992/1993

Cattery built as memorial to Mike Hill, from funds raised after his death.

2015-11-03_14-11-03

1994

Freshfields begins broadening its scope by taking in our first wildlife creatures – birds and hedgehogs, cared for by Steve Hunt, who had previously worked at a shelter in Somerset.

1994 Wildlife

1995

Second Kennel Block (first ‘puppy block’) constructed. Freshfields also offered the use of a stable block and 13 acres of paddocks in return for caring for the owners elderly ponies.

2015-11-03_14-10-22

1996

First ever Open Day.

hp_small_shots_volunteer2

1997

Steve Hunt dies from a heart condition. The wildlife rescue continues as a permanent memorial to him.

1997-Steve-Hunt-new-350x120 copy

1998

Third Kennel Block built. Consort Kennels closes due to public pressure and Freshfields rescues 20 of the 150 Beagles bred there for animal experimentation.

1998 Lesley Beagles

2001

The existing brick wildlife unit was built, replacing the existing wooden construction. Friends of Freshfields formed to fundraise for specific projects.

freshfields_logo_timeline

2002

19 acre smallholding in North Wales donated to Freshfields by former Freshfields volunteers Karen Hill and Darrin Stiles. Lesley leaves the Liverpool Shelter to set up a horse and pony sanctuary at Bryn Melyn, North Wales.

2002 Freshfields Wales

2004

First volunteer Meirwen Hughes began work in Wales shelter, and remains with us to this day.

freshfields_logo_timeline

2005

Large Agricultural building erected in Wales to house the horses and ponies during the winter months.

2005 Agri

2008

Fire devastates one of our kennel blocks at the Liverpool shelter.

 

freshfields_logo_colour

2009

Kennel Block rebuilt thanks to a generous donation from a local supporter who wishes to remain anonymous.

2009 Puppy Block

2010

Start of the Linaker Project, aimed at targeting feline neutering in one of the most economically deprived areas of Liverpool. Initial funding secured to neuter 400 cats.

freshfields_logo_timeline

2012

Freshfields Liverpool begin their Bull Breed Welfare initiative. With events in 3 parks across Liverpool during which over 400 dogs were microchipped and more than 70 bull breeds signed up for neutering.

We open our second hand furniture warehouse in Crosby.

Go to Bull Breed Welfare >

Winston_dog_BBD2_250_167

2015

Work begins on the landscaping of the Liverpool dog exercise field thanks to the generosity of a regular volunteer. The charity rebrands, developing a new logo that represents the ethical foundation upon which the charity was built along with the six main areas of focus for the charity today.

2015 Dog Field

2016

The Crosby furniture warehouse closes and we open up a new premises on Shakespeare street in Southport.

Go to our Shops >

2016 southport

2021/2022

Our new adoption hub is built and opened at our Liverpool centre after successful grant bids secured the funding.
2016 southport

Donate Here

Lost & Found Pets

Call Us 

 

0151-931-1604

 

01286-880-808 

 

Merchandise

Exclusive merchandise available direct from the rescue. Don't miss out, follow the link to make your purchase today.

More >

Freshfields Lottery

When you play our Lottery, animals lives stop being one.

Join with us today >