What's Happening & Why We Need You:
Our Really Big ReFURb is a two-part transformation, starting with our kennel blocks and then moving on to our cattery. The goal is to create warmer, safer, and more comfortable spaces for the animals in our care, improve adoption areas, support our staff and volunteers, and build a centre that’s fit for the future—all while staying open every day.
We can’t do this without you. Your support will help us complete this vital project and ensure every animal feels safe, relaxed, and ready for their forever home.
2025/2026 Timeline & Progress:
The kennel blocks have been demolished, and our dogs are settling into temporary spaces. Meanwhile, our cats are already enjoying their new sound-proofed cattery!
If you’ve passed our Wade Street site, you’ll have seen our new kennels starting to take shape — the scaffolding is up, and the walls of our beautiful new kennels are going up too. It’s incredible progress, but we’re still a long way from completion, and we need your support now more than ever
Kennel Upgrades
We’re starting the build with our kennel blocks. The new layout will significantly reduce noise and stress by preventing dogs from facing each other. With additional exits and more space, dogs will be calmer, and staff can work more safely and effectively.
Less stress, calmer environment – quieter kennels, better rest, and more settled behaviour.
Improved flow and safety – easier movement through kennels for all dogs.
More enrichment opportunities – Our new larger kennels will allow plenty of space for toys, crates and beds.
Better one-to-one time – peaceful spaces for staff to bond with our dogs and help them on their rehabilitation journey.
Cattery Improvements
Right now, only one of our cat wards benefits from natural light — and the difference is dramatic. Cats in well-lit areas are more relaxed, active, and `easier to assess. Our new design will include windows in every pen, supporting healthy routines and reducing the need to move cats or use foster spaces unnecessarily. These changes will help shorten our cats stay with us and make their time here more comfortable and enriching.
Natural light in every pen – supporting cats’ natural behaviours and improving mood.
Dedicated feral space – calm, quiet and safer for handling more complex cases.
Bigger pens for all – room for toys, interaction and shared housing when appropriate.
No more facing pens – less visual stress and better separation when needed.
Adoption Improvements: Smoother journeys to forever homes
Our goal is, and always has been, to help every animal find their perfect home! Our new facilities will make that process much more welcoming and effective.
Calmer animals = higher rehoming rates, helping our animals transition from rescue to forever homes as quickly as possible.
Dedicated viewing spaces – so families can meet animals in a peaceful, private environment… a home away from home.
Quieter areas for paperwork and briefings, helping our dedicated team manage adoptions swiftly and effectively.
A proper meeting room for confidential discussions with adopters, staff, or national RSPCA teams.
Better adoption spaces mean smoother, more positive experiences for animals, families, and staff.
The Target
We are rebuilding in stages to stay open throughout the work. With other local RSPCA branches being forced to reduce their intakes, or even close entirely, due to funding crises, our services are more important than ever before, and it is crucial that we continue to provide them during the project.
The services we provide as a local branch support not only the local community, but animals across the country too. 25% of our intake in 2024 was from outside our branch region, so closing the centre entirely during the refurbishment is simply not an option.
With this in mind, we aim to complete the project by July 2027 and to achieve this, we must raise £3.8 million.
*7% of all donations received towards our Really Big ReFURb will cover general charity running costs*
Be Part Of Something Special
There are so many ways that you can support us and help us to achieve our goal - whatever your means!
This is more than a rebuild — it’s a fresh start for every animal who comes through our doors and a path to much brighter future for years to come!
Without our loyal supporters, we simply wouldn’t exist and animals at risk would not receive the help they need. We’ll be announcing how you can support our fundraising appeal later in the year but for now, please stay up to date with our project by following us and signing up to our mailing list! If you’d like to make a donation now you can do so below, your support means everything to us.
Donate Now Fundraising pack – full pack coming soonFrequently Asked Questions
