One of our region’s most popular animal sanctuaries is marking its 50th anniversary this year.
The Exotic Pet Refuge, which is based near Deeping St James, was first founded way back in 1976. Owner and manager Darren Mansfield told the Peterborough Telegraph how the retreat first came into being when his mum, Pam, learned a man could no longer look after a snake and came to the unwanted reptile’s rescue:
“A guy had to get rid of the snake that he bought from the [pet] shop and the shopkeeper wouldn't take it back so he was going to throw it in the river on the way
home,” he recalled.
"Mum ran out after him and said: ‘You can't throw it in the river; you'll kill it – we'll have it!’, and it kind of stemmed from there.”
With around 350 rescued animals – including monkeys, alligators, snakes, big cats, birds, tarantulas and peacocks – now calling the place home, the sanctuary has grown significantly since then.
Sadly, the reasons animals end up here have remained fairly consistent over the past five decades:
“A lot of the animals we have here have come from the pet trade,” Darren explained.
"They've come from private owners that have had them and for one reason or another had to get rid of them. Sometimes it's because of a legitimate reason like they've had to move house and move into a flat and they can't take it with them, or sometimes they've hit financially difficult times and they can't provide the care that the animal needs, so they'd rather surrender it and it have the the care that it needs.
“Other times it's just a lack of research and taking on a commitment that they don't fully understand. They don't realise the animal's going to be noisy or smelly, and sometimes the neighbours don't like that, so they have to get rid of it.”
Along with his mum, partner and children, Darren has a loyal army of volunteers who help to keep the four-acre site ticking over. The refuge and its team needs to generate thousands of pounds each year just to make ends meet. Practically all of the funding received comes from donations and monies generated from the highly-anticipated Open Days which run throughout the year. “We have six open days a year,” Daren noted, “that's how we raise a good majority of the £100,000 it costs to run the place every year.
"The next one is this coming Sunday, the 13th of September – hopefully we'll have a a good Open Day and and raise some good funds.”
Marking such a pivotal anniversary gives Darren pause for thought: “It was 1976 when mum took on the first exotic. So yeah, 2026 and we're still going – I’m really proud of what she's accomplished and how far we've come.” Find out more about the Exotic pet Refuge, including its Open Days throughout the year, by visiting www.exoticpetrefuge.co.uk
7. Exotic Pet Refuge turns 50!
The refuge near Deeping St James boasts wall art created by legendary local street artist Nathan 'Nyces' Murdoch Photo: Darren Calpin
8. Exotic Pet Refuge turns 50!
The refuge is home to many birds, including Golden Eagles Photo: Darren Calpin