Bacchus Residents Rescue can only be successful when we all work together towards the same goal; helping animals.
We have a team of dedicated individuals who genuinely put their own blood, sweat and tears into achieving our mission. Here, we can shine a light on everyone's hard work and you can get to know the team!

Melanie Bacchus

Hi,
I'm Melanie,

I'm the founder and charity owner of Bacchus Residents Rescue; which I started in 2016, with the help of my daughter, Jodie. I've always been around exotic animals since the 1970's. My favourite pets growing up were my Mongolian gerbils, and my brothers loved hamsters and mice. It is remarkable how much animal care and husbandry has continued to grow, and should still continue to grow; we have continued to learn how complicated and extensive their needs actually are. I'm a huge advocate for #ahutchisnotenough, and similar campaigns that teach us to improve the life of exotic pets.
I've raised both my children around animals, and they've been taught that every life matters, no matter how small. I'm a firm believer that #adoptdontshop is the way forward, and have personally adopted numerous exotics before we started our own rescue. Rescues are full to the brim with all sorts of animals and the market is already oversaturated. 
Bacchus Residents Rescue is my passion that I live for every day. I'm so incredibly proud of myself and the team for the work we do for each animal. I'm a firm believer that once an animal is surrendered into our care, we are responsible for them for the rest of their lives. Even once adopted, we will continue to look out for each animal and provide rescue space back-up; they always have a home here with us. They are loved, they are safe, and they're somebody in my eyes.

As the founder, I am often found doing accounting and overseeing the books, fundraising, educating, and being a team leader. I'm still not afraid to get my hands dirty and get stuck into the cleaning, feeding, and medical rehabilitation of our residents.
On top of animal management, I'm also responsible for ensuring our team of volunteers are happy and taken care of. Maintaining healthy relationships is essential to keeping Bacchus Residents Rescue going. I really enjoy making my house a happy and welcoming place, putting the kettle on for the day's team, and lending an ear to everyone who needs it.

​In my down time, I enjoy watching some television with my bearded dragon, Nettle. I also have two cats, Hilda and Ollie, and a hooded katydid called Flick.

Jodie-Leigh Bacchus

Hi,
I'm Jodie,

I've helped my Mum, Melanie, with the rescue since the very beginning, and it has grown more than I could've ever possibly imagined. I'm forever grateful to have been raised around animals, many of whom have been some of the most meaningful relationships I've ever had. I have a passion for all exotics and love all their different quirks and traits. I enjoy learning about proper care and husbandry, and have gained a wealth of qualifications since starting.  Bacchus Resident Rescue loves taking on complex neglect and medical cases, as such, I've gained a lot of knowledge about exotic animal rehabilitation. I love working alongside the vets and nursing animals back to health. I also take the photographs for our social media.

I pride myself on being there for the team, and someone they can approach in an hour of need. As someone who lives with physical disabilities, as well as Bipolar disorder and PTSD, I wholeheartedly understand the importance of looking after our wellbeing too. Rescue is not easy, and we have to be kind to ourselves in order to survive. Working in rescue exposes you to the highs, such as successfully rehabilitating animals and seeing them thrive, and the lows when we can't achieve that. 

I am the proud owner of a leopard gecko, 5 ferrets, 3 rabbits 2 chinchillas, and a variety of invertebrates. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my four rescue Chinese Cresteds, Dotty. Robbie, Toni. and Babs. 

Mairead Ajibade

Hi,
I'm Mairead,

I am a volunteer and fosterer for Bacchus Residents Rescue. I joined nearly 4 years ago after adopting three guinea pigs, Pumpkin, Eddie and Marms. I kept in contact with the team. and they later helped be bond a one eyed neutered boar called Blaire to my herd. 
I became aware of a neglect case and contacted the rescue because I knew these guinea pigs needed help. With the support of Bacchus Residents, we rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed all 11 guinea pigs. During this period, we became the best of friends and this is how I joined the Bacchus team! We've further rescued another 40 guinea pigs. I continue to foster some of the most complex guinea pig cases, and permanently foster all of the rescue's sanctuary guinea pigs. I also help with fundraising and educational events.

I have a keen interest in all aspects of guinea pig care and husbandry, and I'm extremely passionate about spreading the word, not just about what we do, but about animal care too.
Being part of Bacchus Residents Rescue is one of the most important roles in my life, we all have a strong bond with a mutual connection and love for animals. Everyone gives 100% and supports each other; not just as a team member, but as close friends.
I'm a mother of two children, a teacher at a local school, and volunteer for the Samaritans. I'm happiest with my animals; I have 2 beautiful guinea pigs, 3 weather loaches, and a Russian dwarf hamster called Tom who I adopted from the rescue.

Samuel Howard

Hi,
I'm Sam,

​I started volunteering at Bacchus Residents Rescue whilst doing my Duke of Edinburgh award, but have stayed on since then as I really enjoyed coming. I'd love to have a career working with animals, and have gained vital skills since being here. 
I'm a hardworking member of the team, and spend most of my hours working hard with the rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets. I particularly love deep clean Friday's when we get really stuck into making sure the outdoor animals are in clean and enclosures. Although, I'm down for anything and never pass on an opportunity to learn a new skill.  
I also really enjoy fundraising events and spreading the word about the rescue and how amazing these often overlooked animals are.

I'm an excellent team player and have formed amazing friendships with many of the volunteers. I'll always make extra time available whenever anyone needs an extra helping hand. The team always makes sure to look after each other and we are all very close, we will always support each other; rescue work is incredibly hard, not just physically, but emotionally. When things get tough, we will always lift each other up.

I work part-time at an animal feed store. In my spare time, I love being with my golden retriever, Oakley, and going on adventures with my friends.

Jessica Yates

Hi,
I'm Jessica.

I've been a fosterer and volunteer at Bacchus Residents Rescue for many years now, and in my time I've learned a lot about small animal care and husbandry. I have a particular passion for rats, but I also love hamsters, guinea pigs and other small rodents.
I came to Bacchus Residents Rescue to help gain animal care skills, as I would love to work with animals in the future. I'm currently at college studying Animal Management.

You'll typically see me cleaning, feeding and checking over all of the rats, and other rodents at the rescue. I love meeting all the new faces and seeing them get adopted. I also have a keen interest in caring for geriatric rats, and either adopt or foster some of the very old male rats who would otherwise be difficult to rehome too. It's extremely rewarding to offer them a loving home during their final days. You can see more of my hard work by following Retirement Rats on Facebook or Instagram. I'm really honoured that Bacchus Residents Rescue offer me these opportunities.

​In my spare time I also have a hammock business called R.B hammocks which I love doing. I put lots of love and energy into providing owners with handmade enrichment for their pets. I currently have my own mischief of rescued male rats, and my adopted Syrian hamster called Russel.

Sharon Yates

Hi,
I'm Sharon,

I've been a volunteer and fosterer at Bacchus Residents Rescue for a few years. I help with cleaning small rodents, fundraising events, as well as my foster work for the rescue. I have a particular love for rats, and have fostered many rats for the rescue over the years. I'm currently fostering Little Red and Little Grey whilst they recover from their neuters for hormonal aggression. 

I always go above and beyond for any animal who comes into our care, I want to make sure they know love and happiness throughout their time with us. There is nothing more rewarding than taking in a broken soul, and seeing them slowly come out their shells and learn what love is again.
I've learned a lot of skills since volunteering, from husbandry knowledge, through to medical rehabilitation side of things. 
The team are always happy to help each other grow and become better animal rescuers every single day. We support each other through our weaknesses, and offer to lend our strengths to those who need it.  We've all become a close knit family.

In my spare time, I'm often tending to our foster rats, as well as our own pet rats, Poe, Ralphy, Max, and Emmett

James Yates

Hi,
I'm James, 

I've been helping at the rescue for a few years, and I'm very proud to be part of the team. I love lending a hand at fundraising events, educating people about what we do, and getting stuck in with the practical work maintaining the rescue, and also helping the animals. I have a particular soft spot for Crayola the Yemen chameleon.

I've have done my own independent fundraising and managed to raised over £1000 running marathons in support of the rescue,
Working at the rescue has been incredibly eye opening, but rewarding at the same time. I'll do anything I can to help the team, and consider everyone a friend. 
​
I support my family entirely when they foster animals who would've otherwise been un-rehomable. It's a special feeling knowing we've been able to really make a difference to an animal's life.

​In my spare time, I love running and keeping fit, whilst wearing my Bacchus Residents shirt, spreading the word about Bacchus Residents Rescue

Kate Sherwin

Hi,
Im Kate,

I’m a dedicated volunteer here at Bacchus Residents Rescue. My passion is rats, but I will get stuck in to handling and cleaning with any of the animals. I’m-fairly new to the team; our paths crossed back in February 2022 when I approached about adopting rats. I had 3 rats - Frasier, Niles and Eddie - Frasier sadly passed away. and I wanted a friend for my remaining rats. I adopted Martin, and this is where it all began. I was a bit of a novice, and Martin was severely bullied and terrified of other rats, it was my first bonding, and remains the most difficult to this day. Martin is now fully rehabilitated and is alpha of his own group of rats. For me this was the key moment that changed everything. The Misfits Mischief Mansion was born, and you can follow us on Facebook. It drove me to help transform rats with similar challenging behaviours, those with chronic health issues, geriatric, and lone rats. I house the male sanctuary rats, which helps support the rescue and free up space. I have also done thousands of miles worth of transporting animals to and from the rescue, I also help with fostering and spreading the word about Bacchus Residents.

With support from the team, I have learnt so much about the all of animals, as well as expanding my knowledge on rats I love working with whole team, I came as a guest, and now they are my family.
I have an array of pets from a spiders and snails, to spiny mice and hamsters.
​I work for the NHS, and in my down time I like watching films, going to gigs and chilling with my many rats.

Abigail Priest

Hi,
I'm Abi.

I'm a regular volunteer at Bacchus Residents Rescue and have been coming for a few years now. Animals are my life, and it's been incredibly rewarding to be able to help better the life of so many unwanted animals whilst working with people as passionate as I am. The Bacchus team are all so welcoming and understanding, and I'm so proud to call them my friends.
I love all animals, but feel a particular closeness to rats, and have kept them myself for a long time.
​I'm happy to help with anything at the rescue, from cleaning, assisting with new surrenders, and helping with some of the medical care, and the odd cuddle, of course.

I am currently studying for my A levels so I can go on to study veterinary medicine in the near future. I've always wanted to be a vet, and the rescue has helped me gain vital skills and experience to help me on my journey. It has given me a drive, as I know I can make a difference helping so many rescue animals once I'm fully qualified. I've done additional work experience at veterinary practices and farms to further expand my knowledge.

In my spare time, I like doing agility with my border collie, Tess. I also have a herd of guinea pig sows who I love dearly.

Zara Bruton

Hi,
I’m Zara.
I am a volunteer at Bacchus Residents Rescue in my spare time as I love working with animals, especially those in need. The rescue is a very friendly place to volunteer, and I feel like I can speak to other members of the team about anything I might have queries about. I have a particular fondness for gerbils and have looked after quite a few over the years! I assist with cleaning and feeding of all animals at the rescue.

I have previously volunteered with educational groups teaching children about the environment, climate change and conservation. I have a passion for encouraging children to be involved with the more “scary” animals like snakes and spiders and teaching them that all animals have a place in the world. I have experience with rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles and invertebrates, so volunteering at Bacchus Residents is great as I still get to work with, and continue to learn about all these species.

I currently have 2 cats, 2 gerbils, and a tortoise which is the least amount of animals I have ever had in my care. I suspect more will be added shortly. In my personal time I enjoy gaming, walking and reading.

Rachel Marsh

Hi,
I'm Rachel,

I'm a volunteer at Bacchus Residents Rescue. I'm involved in fundraising and educational events, transporting and collecting rescue animals, and I've previously fostered for the rescue, too.
I particularly love educational and fundraising events, as it's a great way to give back to the community, and share correct information to the masses about exotic animals. I think it's very important we continue to do these events, as preventing such heart-breaking cruelty before it happens is just as, if not more important than Bacchus Residents Rescue picking up the pieces afterwards. 
​I'm very experienced in small animals, having been a personal keeper for many years; I have kept degus, rats, chinchillas, hamsters and chipmunks for all my adult life. Exotic animal care and husbandry is something I've long been interested in, and being part of a team with such diverse knowledge means I'm always learning something new. You truly never know what animal will walk through the door.

Being involved in the team is a really meaningful and important part of my life, they're all like my second family. We all want the best for each other, and having that support has made a very positive impact on my life. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and I love them all so dearly.

​I'm a new Mum, which has changed my life in so many ways. I also love visiting farms and safaris with my family, attending car shows, and being out on the road.

Jason Dickens

Hi,
I'm Jason,

I own Alpha and Street Legal Tyres LTD in Congleton. I'm very proud to have sponsored Bacchus Residents Rescue for many years, providing them with many supplies to help the animals in need. The team does incredibly important work, and I'll try and support them and their endeavours in as many ways as I can. I volunteered many hours building all of the outdoor enclosures for Bacchus Residents, helping them to expand their work, have helped them improve their indoor facilities too.
​The rescue always strives to better themselves, so our work is never done. I've also helped with fundraising for the rescue, and spreading the word about their valuable service in our community. Each and every team member recognises how important it is that we work together, and what a significant impact each person makes to the team. We couldn't have achieved what we have done without each other.

Daniel Norris

Hi,
I'm Dan,

I came to help at Bacchus Residents Rescue following my wife, Rachel. I often help at fundraising events, and lend my skills as a tradesman to help maintain the rescue. I love visiting the rescue and saying hello to all the faces, old and new. I'll always stop and make sure to cuddle some of the residents whilst I'm there.
Fundraising and educational events are so much fun, we get to meet up with lots of team members at once and spread the word about our cause. I spend many hours with Rachel and the team before events planning and getting things ready. We always have a lot to do before hand, be it prepping party bags, organising merchandise, and more. To see it all come together on the day is what it is all about, and we always make sure to have a good time whilst we are there. 
​
I'm a hardworker, and lending my time to help the rescue is an absolute pleasure. Everyone's always extremely appreciative of any help.
I am an animal lover, but rats have a special place in my heart; seeing the work that Bacchus Residents do to help educate and change the perception on rats is heartwarming. 

​In my spare time, I love to work on our cars, and being with our Akita, Luna, and our Akita cross, Buddy. I've also recently become a first-time parent with my wife, Rachel - a beautiful daughter named Charlotte.

Jack Bacchus

Hi,
I'm Jack,

I've been around and supporting my mother and my sister, Melanie and Jodie, since the rescue's inception. My involvement is behind the scenes mainly, lending my time to help with whatever they may need to be designed: the logo, and merchandise for example.

​The whole team contributing to Bacchus Residents Rescue is incredibly hardworking and each person is a crucial component in achieving everything that we have done so far. Having seen it from the very start, it's amazing to see how far the rescue has come, and how dedicated everyone involved is to the wellbeing of those in their care.