Donate to Help Our Long Stay Animals - RSPCA

This Christmas more than 500 long-stay animals are still waiting for a home

Around 521 animals in our RSPCA centres have been waiting more than six months for a home. We call them our long-stays.*

Each has a story of their own. Some cannot be rehomed until legal cases are resolved — a process that can take months or even years. Others, through no fault of their own, are simply overlooked. It’s often hard to understand why such wonderful animals don’t get the second chance they deserve.

While they wait, we make sure they have everything they need — a safe, warm place to stay, regular meals, veterinary treatment, enrichment, and above all, love and reassurance from our dedicated teams. Looking after animals for months, sometimes years, costs around £26 per animal per day.**

We can’t do this alone. This winter, your support will mean long-stay animals — like the cats, dogs and even farmyard friends in our care — aren’t left behind while they wait for the forever families they deserve.

This winter more than 500 long-stay animals are still waiting for a home

Around 521 animals in our RSPCA centres have been waiting more than six months for a home. We call them our long-stays.*

Many, like Lady Whistledown and Jennipurr have now found the families they longed for — but others are still waiting. While they wait, we make sure they have everything they need — a safe, warm place to stay, regular meals, veterinary treatment, enrichment, and above all, love and reassurance from our dedicated teams. Looking after animals for months, sometimes years, costs around £26 per animal per day.**

Alone this Christmas

This winter, help us keep our long-stay animals happy while they wait for the loving homes they deserve.

A black and white spaniel breed dog called Lady Whistledown wearing a lead, held by an RSPCA worker knelt beside her.

Dogs like Lady Whistledown

Waited for 428 days in our care

Some dogs arrive in our care in heartbreaking condition, like Lady Whistledown, who came to us underweight, frightened and still devotedly nursing her tiny puppies. With patience and gentle encouragement, she showed us her playful and loyal nature.

Dogs like Lady have often spent hundreds of days with us — waiting through one Christmas after another. They need calm, understanding homes where they can feel safe, but until then, we give them warmth, food, veterinary care and love for as long as it takes.

A black and white cat with bright yellow eyes called Jennipurr, sat beside a cat tree and bed.

Cats like Jennipurr

Waited for 167 days in our care

When their world suddenly changes, some cats struggle to cope. Jennipurr was just a year old when her beloved owner passed away, leaving her withdrawn and unsure of the world.
With kindness and patience, she slowly came out of her shell and began to play again.

Cats like Jennipurr can spend months in our care, needing gentle handling, enrichment and a chance to build trust at their own pace. For sensitive souls like these, even a short stay can feel like a lifetime. Your support means they are not forgotten this winter.

Vera, a brown speckled hen and Desmond, a brown and orange rooster, standing inside a wire chicken run.

Animals like Vera and Desmond

Still waiting — over five years in our care

Long-stays aren't just about cats and dogs. Vera, a striking hen with a sharp mind, has spent years in our care alongside her companion Desmond. Bright, confident and full of character, they remind us that every kind of animal deserves a forever home.

Animals like Vera and Desmond need daily food, enrichment and dedicated care — sometimes for years. With your support, we can make sure even the smallest animals are safe, comfortable and loved while they wait.

Still waiting this winter

Help us keep our long-stay animals safe, healthy and cared for while they wait for the loving homes they deserve.

Dogs like Lady Whistledown

Finally rehomed, after months of waiting

Lady Whistledown spent more than 420 days in our care before finding her forever family. When she first arrived, she was underweight, frightened, and still nursing her tiny puppies. Today she’s thriving in a home filled with love. Her journey shows why your support matters so much. Because of you, Lady had warmth, food, medical care and enrichment until the right people came along.

Cats like Jennipurr

Finally found a home after months of waiting

Jennipurr’s world turned upside down when her beloved owner died. Just one year old and heartbroken, she hid away for weeks. With patient care and kindness, she slowly came out of her shell. And then, her life changed again — Jennipurr was adopted into a loving home where she can finally feel safe. Your help gives animals the safety, comfort and care they need until their forever family finds them.

Vera, a brown speckled hen pecking at grass and Desmond, a shiny brown and orange rooster.

Animals like Vera and Desmond

Over five years and still waiting

Vera, a spirited hen, has spent years in our care alongside her loyal companion Desmond. Day after day, season after season, they have been waiting for their forever home. Animals like Vera and Desmond need dedicated care — sometimes for years. With your support, we can make sure even the smallest animals are safe, comfortable and loved while they wait for their forever home.

Your gift will save lives

Animal suffering won’t stop for Christmas, and neither will we. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to ensure no animal is left behind. Keeping our rescue teams on the road and providing vital medical care costs money. We rely on your generosity to make this possible.

With your support, we can bring joy and safety to more animals like Lady Whistledown, Jennipurr, Vera and Desmond this Christmas.

Animal Welfare 78p
Raising the next £1 20p
Governance AND support 2p

Footnote: RSPCA Trustees report and accounts 2024

Your gift will save lives

Animal suffering won’t stop this winter, and neither will we. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to ensure no animal is left behind. Keeping our rescue teams on the road and providing vital medical care costs money. We rely on your generosity to make this possible.

With your support, we can bring safety, warmth and hope to more animals — and give others like Lady Whistledown and Jennipurr the happy ending they deserve.