THIS 90-YEAR-OLD ANIMAL HERO RUNS A 12-ACRE SANCTUARY BARBY’S 10,000 RESCUES AND COUNTING
At 90 years young, Barby Keel is living proof that love and a little stubbornness can move mountains (or at least build an entire animal sanctuary). Over the past 54 years, this unstoppable animal lover from Sussex, United Kingdom, has rescued over 10,000 animals from abandonment, neglect, and heartbreak, and she's showing no signs of slowing down. Barby's incredible journey began in the 1970s with a simple favor: a British soldier asked her to look after his dog while he was deployed. Well, the dog never left, and neither did Barby’s calling. One animal led to another, and soon her home blossomed into a full-fledged haven for four-legged (and two-legged) friends in need. Today, her 12-acre sanctuary is bustling with over 600 animals, including everything from cats and rabbits to pigs, horses, and even chickens. For years, Barby cared for every animal herself. Now, she has a lively team of volunteers helping her keep the sanctuary humming along. And while most cats, dogs, and rabbits eventually find forever homes, many animals stay to live out their golden years under Barby’s watchful, loving eye. Rain or shine, Barby tends to the sanctuary daily and only takes the rare day off to grocery shop or show off her skills with her local darts team. Cancer may have knocked on her door three times, but she sent it packing every
time with the same grit she’s given to her beloved rescue work.
The Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary runs purely on donations and is now open to visitors every
Sunday through October 2025. Guests can meet the animals, visit the cozy café, or snag souvenirs from the gift shop. At her shop, you can also find
significantly discounted pet food that Barby buys with her own pension so that local pet parents can afford to feed their furry companions.
If you ever needed a reminder that one person really can make the world a better place, just look for the woman in Sussex with mud on her boots, kindness in her heart, and 600 furry friends trotting along behind her.
SUDOKU
EATS WITH ELLIE
CHEESY TOMATO-BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS •
4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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2 cloves garlic, smashed 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
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1/2 cup basil pesto
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
Chili flakes, to taste
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves Salt and pepper, to taste
• •
2–3 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil 2 cups cherry tomatoes, divided
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally; (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes.
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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