Cheltenham Animal Shelter

Cheltenham Animal Shelter We care for and rehome Gloucestershire's unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs and small animals. Please visit our website for more details.
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Cheltenham Animal Shelter is a charity that has been helping animals since 1926. Based in the heart of Gloucestershire, we rescue and rehome stray, unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs and small animals. Each year we care for hundreds of animals without the help of government funding so we rely greatly on the generosity of animal lovers like you to ensure that our doors remain firmly open. Cheltenham

Animal Shelter is an executive member of the ‘Association of Dogs and Cats Homes’, whereby we adhere to and exceed their code of practice. At our Cheltenham site, in addition to our rehoming facilities, we have dog and cat boarding facilities, dog daycare, dog grooming parlour, charity shop, and low-cost vet practice. Proceeds from these businesses help the rescue animals in our care.

Seven-year-old Rory is a charming and affectionate cat looking for his forever home. He has a friendly and loving person...
21/02/2025

Seven-year-old Rory is a charming and affectionate cat looking for his forever home. He has a friendly and loving personality, making him a wonderful companion for the right person.

Rory has had some issues with inappropriate toileting in the past, that we believe may have been caused by stress, so we are looking to place him in an environment that is the total opposite from his previous home.

We think he would thrive in a calm, rural environment where he can feel secure and stress-free. We feel that Rory would do best in a home without children or other animals, where he can be the centre of attention.

If you have a quiet home and are looking for a loyal and loving feline friend, Rory could be the perfect match for you! Please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 to find out more.

We would like to say a big thank you to our friends at Regent Arcade Shopping Centre for organising a fun photo dog show...
21/02/2025

We would like to say a big thank you to our friends at Regent Arcade Shopping Centre for organising a fun photo dog show for shoppers on Valentine’s Day!

As well as raising money to help our pets in need, we welcomed the opportunity to showcase four of our dogs for adoption and raise awareness of our work among visitors to the town centre.

Thank you to everyone who donated and voted for the dog they wanted to be named Best in Show. We are delighted that our beautiful ex-racing greyhound, Jasper, won - he really is a super dog and fully deserving of the title!

Jasper is almost five years old and has found himself back at the Shelter through no fault of his own. Despite never living in a home before we are told that he settled in very well and was a perfect guest for his previous adopter. He loves exploring rural areas but would be just as happy living in a more urban space as he doesn’t seem to be fazed by anything.

If you could be the forever family that Jasper is waiting for, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 to find out more.

Today is National Love Your Pet Day! As a nation of pet lovers, we all adore our pets! One trait that makes us all human...
20/02/2025

Today is National Love Your Pet Day!

As a nation of pet lovers, we all adore our pets! One trait that makes us all human is the ability and desire to love our pets, so it makes sense that we have a day dedicated to showing them just how much we care.

Whether it's a cuddle, a treat, or a fun activity, let's make today special for our furry friends.

Check out our ‘National love your pet day!’ blog for pet-spoiling ideas and treats and toys you can make at home 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/news

Battle half-term boredom with a visit to our charity shops, where you can find quality kids' books and games from just 5...
20/02/2025

Battle half-term boredom with a visit to our charity shops, where you can find quality kids' books and games from just 50p!

Pop in for a browse at one of our well stocked shops, based at our site in Gardners Lane and 25 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham.

More information about our charity shops, including opening hours, can be found at 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/charity-shops 👈

Gunner is an adorable 13-week-old Doberman x Dutch Herder puppy looking for his forever home. He is a playful and affect...
19/02/2025

Gunner is an adorable 13-week-old Doberman x Dutch Herder puppy looking for his forever home. He is a playful and affectionate little boy who loves to explore and have fun.

Being so young, Gunner will need a home where someone is around most of the time to help guide him through his puppy training and ensure he grows into a well-rounded adult dog.

Gunner is great with handling and enjoys human attention, making him a wonderful companion. As he hasn’t been on walks yet while awaiting vaccinations, he will need a slow and positive introduction to the outside world once he is ready. He will also require plenty of training, including house training, socialisation, and learning basic commands, so his new family must be prepared to dedicate time and patience to his development.

He can live with children aged 10+ but will need to be the only pet in the household for now, as he’s still learning and adjusting to the world around him. Gunner has a playful nature and will thrive in a home that can provide him with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Toys, enrichment activities, and positive interactions will be key to keeping him happy and engaged.

Gunner is looking for a loving and committed home that understands the time and responsibility that comes with raising a puppy. If you think you can provide him with the care, training, and companionship he needs, we’d love to hear from you on 👉 [email protected] 👈

This gorgeous little guy is eight-month-old Russian dwarf hamster, Kam, and he is looking for his forever home.Kam likes...
18/02/2025

This gorgeous little guy is eight-month-old Russian dwarf hamster, Kam, and he is looking for his forever home.

Kam likes spending his time cosying up in his Santa hat bed and loves coming out to explore after his enclosure has been cleaned to inspect what’s new. He loves his nuggets and the odd, tasty treat.

Kam would love a large enclosure with plenty of hiding spaces and places to explore. He has been known to nip fingers in his previous home, especially when hungry, so we feel he would be best suited to an adult only home.

If you could offer Kam a loving forever home, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

🌟 Support Our Furry Friends This Payroll Giving Month! 🌟February is Payroll Giving Month! 🐾❤️ What better way to give ba...
17/02/2025

🌟 Support Our Furry Friends This Payroll Giving Month! 🌟

February is Payroll Giving Month! 🐾❤️ What better way to give back than by helping the animals at your local rescue shelter? 🐶🐱🐹

By setting up Payroll Giving, you can donate directly from your salary to support the amazing work we do caring for cats, dogs, and small animals in need. The best part? It’s tax-efficient, meaning you can give more without it costing you more! 🙌💖

It’s a simple, hassle-free way to make a BIG impact on the lives of these lovable animals who need your help.

🔗 Learn more and start giving today: www.gawa.org.uk/payroll-giving

Together, we can make a difference—one paw at a time! 🐾

Its time for a Sunday success story and this week we are pleased to tell you how Syrian hamster, Peaches, is getting on ...
16/02/2025

Its time for a Sunday success story and this week we are pleased to tell you how Syrian hamster, Peaches, is getting on in her new home.

Peaches came to the Shelter in 2024, aged 11-months, because her owner felt she was not getting the attention she deserved.

Peaches was only with us for a couple of weeks before going to live with her forever family, who recently sent us this lovely update:

“Peaches joined our family in April 2024, after we adopted her from Cheltenham Animal Shelter. We lost our beloved Russian dwarf hamster, Buddy, in January 2024 after three wonderful years, our home felt a little empty. We knew we wanted to give another hamster a loving home and when we met Peaches, we knew we had to take her.

Peaches is a beautiful female Syrian hamster born in May 2023. She's full of charm and has quickly become an important part of our family. Despite her initial nervousness, she has started to show her curious and playful nature, especially when it involves her favourite treats!

Peaches has made great progress since joining our family. While we're still working on helping her shed some weight, she’s already much happier and more comfortable around people. She no longer hides when we approach her cage and now comes out to investigate when she hears us nearby. Watching her gain confidence and settle into her new life has been such a rewarding experience. Peaches is truly a joy to have around, and we’re so grateful to have her in our lives.”

We are so pleased that Peaches has found such a loving home! If you could offer one of our rescue pets another chance at happiness, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

Nimbus will be one year old this week, and his birthday wish is to find a forever home! 🎁He is an affectionate boy looki...
15/02/2025

Nimbus will be one year old this week, and his birthday wish is to find a forever home! 🎁

He is an affectionate boy looking for a patient and understanding home to help him build confidence. He can be a little nervous at first around new people, but once he warms up, he enjoys fuss and will seek reassurance when needed. With time and positive training, we believe he will grow in confidence.

Nimbus would be best suited to a home with adults or older children (14+) who can understand his needs. He hasn’t lived with other dogs or cats, so we’re looking for a pet-free home. While he has been friendly and waggy seeing dogs out and about, he hasn’t had direct interaction with them. As he can be nervous, he would ideally need a secure, peaceful garden space where he can spend his downtime exploring.

Nimbus is still getting used being left alone, so the length of time he is left for will need gradual adjustment and he will need encouragement and support to help him feel comfortable.

With patience, consistency, and lots of love, Nimbus has the potential to be a wonderful companion. If you think you can offer him the calm and caring home he needs, please get in touch with 👉 [email protected] 👈

To see all our pets waiting to be adopted, visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day from the team and all the pets at Cheltenham Animal Shelter ❤
14/02/2025

Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day from the team and all the pets at Cheltenham Animal Shelter ❤

We are looking for an understanding and patient owner for two-year-old Evan. He was brought to the Shelter by his owner ...
13/02/2025

We are looking for an understanding and patient owner for two-year-old Evan.

He was brought to the Shelter by his owner who was able to share some of his history, and we feel that he needs a rural home with free access to outside once he gets settled.

Apparently, he had been missing for about five weeks before he was found and taken to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. Unfortunately, by that point his owners had taken other cats into the home and these new cats did not welcome Evan back home.

Here in the cattery, he is very wary and nervous with us. He will respond to treats and food but isn’t happy with much handling.

We were told that he had been good with everyone in his previous home without any issues, including children. However, we feel it is in his best interests to find him a home without children and in a fairly rural setting. He may be happy to live with another cat.

If you have the special home that Evan is looking for, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 to apply, or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

Milo (22-month-old Cocker Spaniel) and Molly (22-month-old Labrador) are a fun-loving and affectionate duo looking for t...
12/02/2025

Milo (22-month-old Cocker Spaniel) and Molly (22-month-old Labrador) are a fun-loving and affectionate duo looking for their forever home together. They are full of energy and enthusiasm, always ready for playtime and absolutely love water - bathtime is their favourite! They have previously lived with cats and are able to live with children aged 12+.

Molly and Milo are incredibly friendly but can get very excitable when greeting people. Milo is especially bouncy and will jump up so extra training with this will be needed. They both have a playful nature and will need a secure garden where they can run and burn off energy.

They are quite strong on the lead and can be a bit wriggly when getting their harnesses on, so they will need an owner who is happy to work on their training and continue helping them learn good manners. Molly is used to being crated at night and when left alone, and both dogs are accustomed to being left alone for several hours.

Molly and Milo would thrive in an active and loving home where they can continue to learn, play, and be showered with affection. If you’re looking for a lively and lovable pair to join your family, please get in touch!

We would love Milo and Molly to find a home together, but we will accept applications for them individually.

Please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 for an application form, or visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈 to see all our pets for adoption.

Dog and Duck are a pair of sweet, one-year-old boys who absolutely love their food. They enjoy spending time in their co...
11/02/2025

Dog and Duck are a pair of sweet, one-year-old boys who absolutely love their food. They enjoy spending time in their cozy hides and houses, feeling safe and secure in these spaces.

Right now, they are a bit nervous and prefer to stay hidden until the environment is quiet and calm. Their ideal home would be with an owner who is patient, understanding, and willing to invest time in building a trusting relationship with them. For this reason, we believe they would thrive in a home with older children or adults.

Dog and Duck are looking for a spacious enclosure to share, and it's important to note that the minimum recommended size for two guinea pigs is 140cm by 70cm (2ft by 4ft). We will ask for photos of the enclosure upon application to ensure it's suitable for their needs.

If you have the forever home Dog and Duck are looking for, please email small 👉 [email protected] 👈 to apply or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

We have a wonderful success story to share this Sunday featuring Winter the Caucasian shepherd who came to us at four mo...
09/02/2025

We have a wonderful success story to share this Sunday featuring Winter the Caucasian shepherd who came to us at four months old with her siblings, Jack Frost and Ebeneezer. They were part of a larger litter, signed over to us because the breeder was unable to find families for these giant breed pups. Weighing in at 28kg on arrival, these gorgeous puppies are expected to weigh up to 65kg when fully grown.

Having been kept outdoors before coming to us, with little human interaction or experience of the outside world, we knew that Winter and her brothers would need lots of behavioural support while in our care and very special forever homes if they were to thrive.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog generally has an independent and watchful temperament. They don't display overly affectionate personalities and are very strong-willed, but they are loyal to their families, some even expressing possessive behaviour. They can be wary of strangers, so proper socialisation and training as a puppy is of the utmost importance.

After three long months at the Shelter, undergoing a rigorous socialisation and training programme with our team, Winter struck it lucky and caught the eye of new owner, Clair, who has prior experience with the breed and a wealth of training in dog behaviour.

Clair sent us this lovely update: “Winter is doing amazingly! She comes into the house ad hoc at her own pace and choice - I leave the door open, and she steps in to the kitchen or day/dog room and then sniffs about and chooses to leave and hangs out with me outside and in the dog food prep/utility room.

Her sound sensitivity has reduced by about 95%, she is just doing only breed specific guardian barking now, if a car pulls up or if someone is walking around the gate who she doesn't know or can’t see. If I say “hey it’s me” she then softens her body and stops barking. She easily works out friend or foe - v clever pup!

Winter has made friends with an 18-month-old St Bernard, he is a gentle soul. They have enjoyed very short bursts of interaction; their energy levels are medium to high in places but both break away nicely.

The first trip out in the field was on Wednesday and she just did zoomies but yesterday she was doing a bit of that with sniffing, then charging at me, jumping up, body blowing me and then the odd occasional nipping. This is breed specific for her age of course but also for a dog that had been held back from a social aspect, she needs to explore and find her paws.

Winter has attached herself to me very quickly but at a healthy level and as soon as she hears my silly hey little puppy voice she comes and hangs out with me. She’s played with buckets of water, the hose and generally having fun. She is quite the plonker! Thank you so very much 🤗”

What a fantastic outcome for Winter and her new family!

Winter’s brother, Ebenezer, has also gone to his forever home but Jack Frost is still with us, waiting for his perfect match to come along. If you think you could offer the type of forever home Jack Frost needs, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈

Two-year-old Staffy cross, Rhonda, is a quirky and loyal companion looking for a special home. She may be a little wary ...
08/02/2025

Two-year-old Staffy cross, Rhonda, is a quirky and loyal companion looking for a special home. She may be a little wary of new people at first, but once she trusts you, she’s full of love and will happily demand cuddles with a well-placed paw! She’s also a big fan of a good butt scratch and loves nothing more than relaxing on the sofa with her favourite humans.

Rhonda isn’t comfortable around other animals, so she’ll need to be the only pet in her new home. She can be reactive to dogs, either ignoring them or becoming stressed when dogs are too close. She enjoys her own space and loves to potter around off-lead areas, so a garden or secure field where she can do this would be perfect for her.

On walks, she can be vocal when spotting people in the distance, sometimes barking and pulling forward. She does warm up more quickly if people speak to her gently, but she needs slow introductions and shouldn’t be walked straight up to strangers so a quiet walking route would suit her best. She can live with children aged 16+.

Rhonda really struggles with being left alone, becoming very vocal and distressed, so she’ll need someone who is home most of the time to keep her company. With patience, understanding, and the right environment, she’ll be an incredibly affectionate and devoted companion.

If you could offer this lovely lady the forever home she needs, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 for an application form, or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

Join us TOMORROW at our charity shop in Winchcombe Street to celebrate our love of animals in the run up to Valentines D...
07/02/2025

Join us TOMORROW at our charity shop in Winchcombe Street to celebrate our love of animals in the run up to Valentines Day and be the among the first to hunt for bargains in our new ❤ EXTENDED SHOP SPACE ❤ on the first floor.

We will be opening our first floor to shoppers for the first time on 🐾 Saturday 8th February from 11am 🐾 with one of our rescue dogs welcoming visitors!

We have balloons, cakes, drinks and a ⭐ 50% OFF EVERYTHING SALE ⭐ for the whole weekend!

All profits from our charity shops help the homeless pets at Cheltenham Animal Shelter.

Find out more about our charity shops, including opening times and items accepted as donations, at 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/charity-shop 👈

We're currently on the lookout for a special home for two-month-old characters, Cliff and Larry! Ideally, they'd thrive ...
06/02/2025

We're currently on the lookout for a special home for two-month-old characters, Cliff and Larry!

Ideally, they'd thrive in an "in-between" home, where they can spend most of their time outdoors but also have access to the comfort a home when they want to.

These kitties may be open to some human interaction, but on their own terms and at their own pace. Cliff is the more outgoing of the two - he's already shown interest in human attention and will ask for a fuss.

Larry is a bit more reserved and prefers to observe from a distance. However, with patience and trust, we believe he might warm up to the idea of some affection, though it may be limited.

Larry and Cliff would be best suited to an adult-only home, possibly with another cat to keep them company.

If you would like to find out more, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

We are sharing our love of lurchers and greyhounds today in support of all the wonderful dogs who find themselves in She...
05/02/2025

We are sharing our love of lurchers and greyhounds today in support of all the wonderful dogs who find themselves in Shelters each year, often overlooked by potential adopters who don’t realise what awesome pets they can be.

There are many misconceptions about greyhounds, most commonly that they need a huge amount of exercise. However, anyone lucky enough to own one of these breeds will tell you that they are massive couch potatoes who love to laze about for most of the day.

Bred for racing, they are predisposed to quick bursts of energy followed by long periods of down-time. As with any dog, they need mental and physical stimulation to live a happy and well-rounded life, but they are usually happy with a couple of short walks a day.

Their lurcher cousins inherit many of these traits but can also exhibit a wide range of behaviours associated with the breed(s) they are crossed with.

Overwhelmingly calm and gentle natured, greyhounds and lurchers can make ideal pets for families and seniors alike.

Here are some great reasons why a lurcher or greyhound might be the perfect pet for you:
🐾 They are sensitive souls with a lot of love to give.
❤ Not big on barking, they won’t disturb the neighbours.
🐾 Short fur means they’re good if you have allergies.
❤ They don’t require much exercise.
🐾 They’re the couch potatoes of the dog world.
❤ They are one of the fastest dog breeds.
🐾 Retired racers can be retrained to adjust to life as a pet.
❤ They live around 12-15 years.
🐾 Greyhounds are often great with children.
❤ They’re a very healthy breed with very few genetic inherited diseases.
🐾 Males weigh around 30kg, females around 25kg.

If all this has made you want to look closer at adopting, please visit our website 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈 where we have Ozzy and Tetley the lurchers and Jasper the greyhound patiently waiting for their forever families to find them.

Address

Gardners Lane
Cheltenham
GL519JW

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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HUGE congratulations to Shelter team member Angie for completing a daring wing walk this weekend to raise money for our pets in need! 👏 Angie's fundraising page is still open so if you are able to make a small donation it will all go towards helping our homeless cats, dogs and small animals - 👉 https://cas.enthuse.com/pf/angie-aston #cheltenhamanimalshelter #charity #donate #thankyou

Doobie is praying he finds his forever home! 11-month-old Doobie is extremely friendly, loves his food, and it is very endearing when he begs for attention! Doobie came to the Shelter from a local vet because he needed treatment for a blocked bladder and his owner decided to sign him over. He is on a special diet to prevent the issue from recurring, but the vet believes it was caused by the stress of living with several other cats, and he has had no further problems since being with us. If you have the perfect home for Doobie, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

Reiko needs a forever home!
Reiko needs a forever home!

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Our Story

Cheltenham Animal Shelter is a charity that has been helping animals since 1926. Based in the heart of Gloucestershire, we rescue and re-home unwanted and abandoned stray cats, dogs and small animals. Each year we care for around 800 animals at a cost of £650,000 without the help of any Government funding. We rely greatly on the generosity of animal lovers like you to ensure that our doors remain firmly open. Providing we have space available, members of the public needing to re-home their dog, cat or small animal can sign them over in to our care. We are extremely careful that all of our animals find their right home by asking potential owners to complete a life-style questionnaire and conducting a home visit. Cheltenham Animal Shelter are executive members of the ‘Association of Dogs and Cats Homes’, where we adhere to and exceed their code of practice. We also have dog boarding and cat boarding facilities available while you are away on holiday.