Timeline
Our History – The Story So Far…
Founded by Lesley Tarleton and registered as a charity just 4 years later Freshfields Animal Rescue has for almost 50 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 small farm animals, and wildlife. In 2002 we were gifted a smallholding in Wales which became our second rescue site and home to 35 horses and ponies, this later extended to include a cattery, and in 2023 we moved our farm animals over to this site.
Today, across our two sites we provide care, support, medical attention and the chance to thrive for around 500 animals and wildlife at any time. This work is underpinned by our proactive rehabilitation, rehoming and release programs, and our community work.
1974
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.
1979
Set up registered charity named ‘Freshfields Animal Rescue’.
1989
The first kennel block is built.
1991
Staff rocked by the death of 18 year old fellow worker Mike Hill, killed whilst protesting against a foxhunt .This tragedy 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.
1992/1993
The Cattery is built as memorial to Mike Hill, from funds raised after his death.
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.
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.
1997
Steve Hunt dies from a heart condition. The wildlife rescue continues as a permanent memorial to him.
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.
2001
A brick wildlife unit was built, replacing a wooden construction.
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.
2004
First volunteer Meirwen Hughes began work in Wales shelter, and remains with us to this day.
2005
Large Agricultural building erected in Wales to house the horses and ponies during the winter months.
2008
Fire devastates one of our kennel blocks at the Liverpool shelter.
2009
Kennel Block rebuilt thanks to a generous donation from a local supporter who wishes to remain anonymous.
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.
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.
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.
2016
The Crosby furniture warehouse closes and we open up a new premises on Shakespeare street in Southport.
2021/2022
Our new Adoption Hub is built and opened at our Liverpool rescue after successful grant bids secured the funding.
October 2022
Work to refurbish the stables in Wales was completed with lighting, new drainage, stable flooring and kickboards. That’s basically everything but the roof! We were so happy to get this finished in time to provide a safe and warm space before the colder weather set in.
April 2023
In Liverpool, work began on our small animal unit upgrade to provide a more secure and comfortable environment. The outside block work was completed together with new roof, windows and secure door. We also took the opportunity to reorganise internally to maximise and make the best use of every space we have
June – October 2023
Our farm family begins a new chapter, as we relocate them to our Wales rescue.
In Liverpool we were restricted in what we could achieve for the farm due to the limited space – In Wales, we have 19 acres, which allows us to provide 3 times the space that the farm animals had.
October 2023
April 2024
Liverpool new cattery opens. The previous accommodation pens had been in place for many years and the facilities were tired and needed investment.
This major boost to our work improves our accommodation and care standards, enabling us to significantly increase the number of cats and kittens we can help each year.
December 2024
We were delighted to become a Member of the National Equine Welfare Council
2025
Work continues to improve our facilities to help more animals and to do it better. We utilised the farm field in Liverpool to create more secure spaces for our dogs. We also made changes to existing areas to enable access to all without passing through another area. This maximised the space and gives dogs more opportunities to build valuable social skills and training.
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