New year, new homes!

2016 has gotten off to a fantastic start with a series of adoptions. We have seen many of our residents off safely to their new homes, both over the Christmas period and early in January. 

Most of these adoptions have been dogs, both young and old. We have said goodbye to Coco, Bella, Rigon, Lola, Babe, Roxy, Cheddar and more. Although we are sad to see them go, we are thrilled that they have found brilliant homes of their own and families to love and care for them. Plus, they have all been spoiled with lots of new toys and treats!

There are still so many animals at Woodside who need a family to call their own. Can you help? Call 01162336677 to talk to find out more, or come down to the centre and meet our charming residents for yourself. You might just find your new best friend. 

Gone Home for Christmas

We are very pleased to report that two of our wonderful dogs, Babe and Roxy, found new families over the Christmas period. Both of them went to their new homes in time to share the festive fun and are settling in fantastically. What a way to start 2016!

Do you think you can give one of our animals a forever home this year? Call 01162336677 to find out more about them, or come down to the centre to meet them face to face. 

Bear at Home for Christmas

We have just received these heart-warming photos of Bear in his new home being fussed over by his family! Bear was a gentle and fun-loving dog who loved going on long walks and playing with his toys. He was adopted recently and went home with his family, just in time to share in the festive fun. We know that Bear will have a wonderful life here, just look at that happy face.

If you can help a doggie like Bear find their forever home, you can contact us on 01162 336677 or drop down to the centre and meet everyone for yourself! Your best friend for life could be just a phone call away. 

A Christmas Miracle

When Elizabeth Allison adopted a kitten from Woodside in June 2014 she was overjoyed. 

She named the completely black kitten Archie and he soon settled in well with Elizabeth’s other cats – in fact he was a real charmer! Archie loved his new forever home and all was well until June 2015 when Archie was taken for his booster vaccination, after which he started to act strangely.

Archie went missing a week after his booster on June 10th and Elizabeth was frantic with worry. She did everything possible to find Archie but finally ended up thinking the worst.

A vet suggested that Archie may have even eaten some pollen, however Archie hadn’t been sick before he went missing. 

On December 12th Elizabeth received a call from a lady living around 5 minutes away to say that Archie was in her garden! Elizabeth knew it was Archie as she had made sure that his name and telephone number were on his collar. Archie had been visiting the lady’s garden for a few days and she had fed him as she had cats herself.

Words couldn’t express how delighted Elizabeth was to find her beloved cat. Archie was soon checked over by a vet and found to be in good shape considering that he had been missing for 6 months! No one will ever know what Archie got up to during his adventures but this story is proof that miracles really do happen at Christmas! 

Miss Marple finds her forever home!

We are happy to announce that our wonderful Miss Marple has just been adopted by a loving new family! Miss Marple, a petite Staffordshire bull terrier, was nearly 9 years old when she came to us here at Woodside. She had been transferred to us from another RSPCA centre, and was experiencing tummy troubles which was causing her stress.

Despite her illness, she was a friendly, lovable dog who took to our staff immediately. She was very calm and strong, and after a controlled diet and some medicine she soon got better. Her relationships with the staff grew and she soon became best friends with everyone, showing her cheeky side when she was let off the lead. Playtime was the most important time for her.

While living at the centre, she received a number of inquiries. People loved her for her cheerful attitude and friendliness towards humans. She was reserved by an interested party, but unfortunately she didn’t get on well with their other dog. But it wasn’t long before her new family came to take her home. She connected with them instantly and we knew that it was meant to be.

It has only been a few days but we know that she is immensely enjoying her new home– seeing pictures of her with her family she looks happier than ever! She has been enjoying off lead walks, plenty of toys and chews and a lovely comfy bed. She wasn’t the prettiest girl on the re-homing block and not the most desirable breed type, but this just proves when you give a dog chance and take a closer look you can find the perfect companion.

Think you can give a dog like Miss Marple a loving new home? Follow the link below to meet a few furry friends who are still looking for their forever family or feel free to pop by the centre to meet them for yourselves! http://www.rspcaleicester.org.uk/adopt.aspx

Charlie Dwyer Passes Away

Today we have a story that will both warm and break your heart. Bob Dwyer and his family have written to us about Charlie, a lab/retriever cross who they adopted from Woodside in 2003. 

Even at just a few weeks old Charlie was a gentle, loving dog. He absolutely captivated the Dwyer family when they met him for the first time. They just couldn’t tear themselves away. They came back to see him at Woodside many more times during the adoption process, taking him to visit the other animals living at the centre. Charlie was immensely fond of the rabbits and would look over them for hours. He made friends with every animal and human he met, and would continue doing so for years to come.

In 2005, when the Dwyers moved permanently to Spain, Charlie went with them. At only two years old, he was embarking on a traveling adventure, and he was raring to go. There was only one problem. Baby Charlie was suffering from bouts of colitis, the cause of which was never identified despite veterinary efforts. Despite these difficulties, Charlie was always a happy little boy, and for nearly 12 years he was the family’s best friend and most loyal companion.

Along the way and with Charlie’s help, the family also adopted and raised three formerly feral kittens, who became used to sharing the house with humans and Charlie, and grew to love their new canine friend for his warmth and kindness. Even when out walking, Charlie always seemed to remember his earliest encounter with those rabbits at the Woodside Animal Shelter, never chasing them but just pointing and staring until they hopped away.
 
Very sadly and suddenly, Charlie died after a very short illness. He was just a few months away from his 12th birthday. His passing has left an un-fillable gap for the Dwyers and for us here at Woodside, but we will never forget the time he spent with us. We were all very privileged to know him.

Charlie is just one of the many animals we have re-homed during recent years who have provided constant love and happiness to their new families. If you want to adopt a pet like Charlie, why not pop down to the centre and meet our residents?

Follow the link to see just a few of the furry faces who are waiting to be your new best friend www.rspcaleicester.org.uk/adopt 

Wilber and Elspeth find a loving new home

This September we welcomed two charming dogs to Woodside Animal Centre.

Cavalier King Charles, Wilber, and Cocker Spaniel, Elspeth, came from the same household and were the very best of friends. 

Although stable when they arrived, both dogs needed medical attention and were both thoroughly checked over by our vets.  Elspeth was briefly moved to another RSPCA centre so she could receive additional surgery but we're pleased to announce that the surgery was a great success and both dogs are now happy and healthy. 


Whilst at the centre the inseparable pair enjoyed playing and walking side by side every day. They had a truly special bond so we were so pleased when a lovely family came forward to adopt them both. 

Wilber was adopted first but sadly Elspeth could not go with them at first and was left heart broken at the prospect of a life without her best friend. Little did she know that she too was to be adopted by the very same family...

The family brought Wilber along to the centre to welcome his friend to her new family and there were smiles and waggy tails all round. 

You can see the heart-warming moment the pair were reunited below:

Here at Woodside we love making animal dreams come true and we're so pleased to see yet another pawfect ending in action. 

If you would like to be a part of a pawfect ending of your own, there are still so many animals at the centre both big and small that are still waiting for their second chance at happiness.

Follow the link below to meet a few furry friends who are still looking for their forever home or feel free to pop by the centre to meet them for yourselves!

http://www.rspcaleicester.org.uk/adopt

Fern & Renzo's Day Out

Fern and Renzo are two beautiful staffie crosses who we’ve had with us at Woodside since March. With the recent good weather we’ve been having we thought they deserved a little treat, so off we all went on a little adventure to Bradgate Park!

Both of them travelled very well, with Fern in a crate and Renzo – who isn’t too fond of crates – riding up front with Lara, which he enjoyed very much.  When we arrived at the park the two of them could barely contain their excitement as they caught a whiff of the nearby deer in the grass, they even got to meet some of them soon after and spent a few minutes cautiously sussing them out!

Almost as soon as we got to the park they spotted water and duly sprinted towards it before diving in. Renzo’s quite the fan of water so he made himself at home frolicking in the shallows. Fern was a little bit more apprehensive and toed gently around the edge of the water.  She soon saw how much fun Renzo was having though and bravely jumped in next to him and started jumping around, splashing us all in the process!

Staffies can make the perfect family pet

In 2013 one of our residents, Hollie, a Staffordshire bull terrier, started a new life with Faye. Thanks to Faye’s love, care and affection Hollie has become an affectionate, loyal and obedient dog. Some of her favourite activities include playing ball and chasing her tail! 

Unfortunately Staffies have a bad representation in the media as being dangerous and aggressive, without mentioning their warm and friendly temperament and that they are actually great for a family with young children. Hollie’s owner believes that Staffies are a strong breed and unfortunately get into the wrong kind of owners hands. Here at Woodside we believe every animal deserves a chance and as we can see with Hollie and Faye, the right owner can change a dog’s life.

Waggy Tails from Woodside

At Woodside Animal Centre we’re always striving to find our animals a loving home, and it’s even more exciting to hear how they’re getting on.

In 2012, Caroline adopted two of our four legged friends, Bonnie and Tango. We’re pleased to say that both dogs, thanks to Caroline, are doing brilliantly. 

Is a rabbit the right pet for me?

Rabbits are an adorable addition to anyone’s life and at Woodside Animal Centre we’re here to help you decide if a rabbit is the pet for you. 

There are around 1.7 million rabbits being kept as pets in the UK (that’s a lot of hopping!), and any family thinking about getting  a rabbit should make sure they can care for it and give it lthe love and attention it needs.