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Every kind of care, for every kind of animal

Your support transforms animals’ lives by giving them all the behavioural care they need to thrive. From specialised training and gentle socialisation to stimulating play sessions and mental enrichment, you’re helping build trust, encourage natural behaviours, and nurture happy, confident cats and dogs ready for their forever homes.

Animal behaviourist Emma with Millie the rescue dog together in the dog kennel at the RSPCA animal centre.

Physical exercise

Thanks to your Sponsorship, we can tailor physical activity to suit every animal, helping them stay healthy and active.

For overweight cat Auben, we created a special routine. We encouraged him to walk the cattery corridor twice daily, using food trails. This gentle exercise helped him get healthier and lose weight. Dog Millie enjoyed outings beyond our gates, preparing her for different settings and a loving home.

Your support provides toys for all animals and climbing structures for cats, so they can all enjoy moving and playing.

Animal care assistant, Chelsey is petting Minx inside one of the cat pods at the animal centre.

Life skills

Once animals feel secure in their kennel or cat pod, we provide every kind of care they need, including life skills, to get them ready for forever homes.

We began with gentle muzzle training for Millie, who was fearful of other dogs. Gradually, we introduced her to other dogs from afar. For shy cats like Minx, we started with patient socialisation, offering treats and gradually introducing handling.

These approaches paid off. Millie learned to make reassuring eye contact with us when spotting other dogs, while Minx discovered a love for grooming!

Millie the rescue dog and Emma the animal behaviour specialist doing dog training in the garden at the animal centre.

Care fact

To help dogs get used to travelling in a car, some of our centres practise using a stationary car

Helping a dog get used to travelling in a car.

Mental wellbeing

Your Sponsorship helps us create engaging spaces for animals to express natural behaviours.

We provide scratch posts and hiding spots for cats, and puzzle toys and digging areas for dogs.

For nervous cats like Minx, we use calming pheromone sprays. For dogs like Millie, sniffing out treats during walks helped lower stress levels. And our ‘home-from-home’ rooms, with comfy sofas and everyday sounds, help dogs settle into household environments. This tailored care eases transitions into forever homes.

An RSPCA rescue cat lying down.

Play and building bonds

Play isn’t just fun – it’s a key part of every kind of care your support provides.

Cats enjoy different play styles. Ginger cat Auben loves feather toys, which mimic wild hunting behaviours and release feel-good hormones. Shy tabby Minx prefers gentle interactions to build her confidence.

Dogs like Millie enjoy toys in their kennels, from squeaky soft toys to chew bones. We also hide treats in play areas for dogs to discover, helping them stay calm and happy. Your loyalty fills our centres with joy every day.

Millie the rescue dog enjoying playing and bonding with her animal care assistant outside.

Care fact

Did you know cats hunt for fun, not food? Help protect wildlife with supervised outdoor time.

Close-up of a dog treat in a bowl next to dog food.

Together, we heal hearts and minds

You’re giving animals the chance to become their happiest selves. From patient socialisation to fun play experiences, your kindness helps our experts provide every kind of care animals need to thrive.