A celebration of 200 years of the RSPCA

This year the RSPCA is celebrating it’s 200th Anniversary, that’s 200 years of rescuing and caring for pets and wildlife in need through out the UK, and creating a better world for animals

200 years is a long time but did you know that there has been a branch of the RSPCA in Leicestershire since 1881?  We have been caring for mistreated, abandoned and neglected animals for over 140 years. Today, the Woodside Animal Centre supports the professional animal rescue provided by the RSPCA Inspectorate, and provides veterinary care, rehabilitation and rehoming for cats and dogs throughout Leicestershire, Peterborough & Rutland.

As an independently registered charity, which receives no government or regular funding, we rely on the generosity of our supporters and the general public to support our animal welfare work. Our branch is responsible for providing care and assistance to the animals in Leicestershire, Peterborough & Rutland that require our help.

Donations enable

Us to maintain and advance our animals centre’s important work to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals that have been abused, neglected or from people who can no longer look after their animals. Our work involves a huge amount of time, dedication and equipment which with the inspiring support of donations and legacies, it helps us to make an impact and aids our commitment to protecting animals for future generations to come.

RSPCA at 200 Years celebrate with Woodside Animal Centre, Leicester

Old RSPCA collection box

RSPCA at 200 Years celebrate with Woodside Animal Centre, Leicester

RSPCA circa 1940s

Community Help

With the help of our community, we are hoping to be able to focus on our next projects to include upgrading the animal facilities to make life better for our animals.  Many of the dog kennels were built around 20 years ago and are in need of modernisation as the environments that we operate in change around us.

Hot Summer of 2022

You will remember the scorching hot summer we had in 2022, some of our kennel blocks could desperately benefit from air conditioning to ensure that the dogs have a comfortable, controlled temperature environment to keep them cool when the temperatures soar, helping to stop the animals feeling too warm or overly agitated and restless. Good air circulation also helps keep the animals and the people who care for them healthier.

RSPCA Woodside Kennels developing larger accommodation for large breed dogs

Murlands kennel bloc

RSPCA Woodside Kennels developing larger accommodation for large breed dogs
Kennels & Catterys

And we are hoping to combat the constant rising fuel costs and plan to become more energy efficient by installing under floor heating to all of our kennels and cattery, so we can keep our facilities running to their full potential for longer.

Other improvements include merging a few of our Murlands block kennels to provide larger accommodation for large breed dogs as well as nursing mums and her puppies. With greed breeding and puppy farm raids on the increase we see more animals that are pregnant or with very young offspring and we need to be able to accommodate their special needs.

The current design of the pens in our Murlands block means that a few of the kennels face each other across a small corridor. We need to install partitions so that the pens are no longer in eyesight of each other. Many of the dogs that we see can be reactive to other dogs and seeing each other across the corridor creates anxiety, stress and leads to other behavioural problems which would get worse with time. The benefits of these for the animals are helping to keep them calmer and less stressed towards other dogs.

Our Amazing Supporters

We are looking for the help of our amazing supporters to help raise £10,000 towards the refurbishment of our kennel blocks. By supporting this campaign you will be directly helping us to improve the lives of the animals that we look after, by improving their living quarters and helping them to be calmer and have a less stressful experience in the kennels before we can find them their forever home. You will also be helping us to lower our fuel costs and to be kinder to the environment by lowering our carbon footprint.

For many people, raising money for a charity and donating, gives them a sense of purpose and fulfilment, helping others and causes that are close to their hearts. No matter the size of donation it all has a huge impact and makes a big difference to helpless animals.

Thank you for choosing the RSPCA Leicestershire, Peterborough & Rutland with the RSPCA at 200 Years.

Your support, kindness and generosity are what keep us going and allow us to rescue and rehome as many animals as we possibly can!

Opening Hours

Centre Open for General Animal Viewing
We are open to the public to have a look around on Thursdays, Saturday and Sundays from 11:00 to 15:00

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Pet Shop and Reception
Open 7 Days a week
Monday - Friday: 08:30 to 16:30
Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 to 16:00

If you are interested in adopting an animal in our care, please go to the animal profile pages and complete the contact forms. Our team will then contact you to discuss the current adoption process.

Contact Us

Post:
Woodside Animal Centre
190 Scudamore Road,
Leicester
LE3 1UQ

Phone:
General Enquiries: 0116 233 6677
Woodside Pet Shop: 0116 233 6677
RSPCA Cruelty Line: 0300 1234 999

Email: animalcare@rspcaleicester.org.uk

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