Our Story

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Richmond Exotics — The North East’s Exotic Animal Rescue & Education Charity

Richmond Exotics is a family‑run, fully registered charity based in Washington, Tyne and Wear — now open at our dedicated rescue building behind Clay’s Garden Centre.
We proudly serve the North East, offering a safe haven for exotic animals and a welcoming space for visitors to learn, explore, and connect with species they may never have encountered before.

What We Do

We specialise in the education, rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of exotic animals, with a strong focus on improving captive husbandry and promoting lifelong welfare. Our residents include reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and small exotic mammals — each with their own story and their own needs. If you would like to adopt an animal, you can read about the process here, or contact us.

Our Mission

Founded by Chris and Becky Richmond, our mission is simple:
to raise awareness of the complex needs of exotic species and ensure no animal is left without support.

We work closely with schools, community groups, reptile shops, and the wider public to share accurate, accessible guidance on responsible care. Through hands‑on education and real‑world experience, we help people understand these animals properly — because good knowledge saves lives.

A Safety Net for Animals in Need

Life changes, and sometimes people need help.
Whether you’re facing the difficult decision to part with a pet or hoping to offer a rescued animal a new home, Richmond Exotics is here with empathy, expertise, and zero judgment. We provide a compassionate route forward for animals who might otherwise have nowhere to go. If you need to surrender an animal, you can read more about the process here, or contact us. 

Our Journey

With over 30 years of combined experience and a lifelong passion for animal welfare, we formalised our work in 2023 and proudly achieved charity status in September 2024.
This milestone has allowed us to expand our education programmes, welcome visitors to our new public space, and fundraise directly to support the animals in our care.

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Get Involved

Whether you’d like to learn more, volunteer, donate, or simply come and say hello, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can give these animals the safe, healthy futures they deserve.

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