Rachel Wright lives in a small single room, with her husband and four year old daughter and usually at least one dog.

There’s no heating or air conditioning to help her and her bathroom is a small room outside, there’s no shower – she washes by filling up a bucket and tipping it over herself.

But Rachel has no regrets about leaving behind the luxuries of the western world – she’s lived in a small village in India for 10 years running an animal rescue centre and sanctuary.

And she relishes the work she’s doing.

Ever since she was a child Rachel’s had an extraordinary love for animals and is determined to help them any way she can.

WE WERE PRISONERS IN OUR HOME UNTIL WE GOT BAILEY THE DOG

Rachel, 41, - who married Annu, 32, a fellow sanctuary worker in 2009- explains: “My earliest memory is when I was four and visited London zoo.

"I remember looking at a gorilla in his enclosure and bursting into tears. He looked so miserable.

“My life has always revolved around animals. As a child, I would bring home wounded animals, from pigeons to cats, and insist they should be taken to the vet.

“I felt an overwhelming urge to help them.

“I opened the sanctuary in India after hearing about a barbaric custom where wild dogs are left out in the desert to die to stop tourists being inconvenienced. I was horrified and knew had to do something to help.

“I’ve saved 70,000 animals and get so much joy out of it. I sometimes get homesick and myss my friends. But my job is so rewarding, I wouldn't change it for the world."

Visit www.tolfa.org.uk

Read more of Rachel's story in Closer mag out today.