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.

Two-year-old Jagdterrier, Moses, hasn’t had the best start in life and is hoping to find a very special home. Please sha...
12/03/2025

Two-year-old Jagdterrier, Moses, hasn’t had the best start in life and is hoping to find a very special home. Please share his post 🙏

Moses came to the Shelter with no training or socialisation, so he has had to start from scratch with the help of our team. He is really struggling in kennels, and we feel that finding him the right home will help him make further progress.

He is very reactive to other dogs, cats and wildlife and is anxious when meeting new people so he will need patient and understanding owners who are prepared to help him with training and socialisation.

Despite his issues, Moses is a loyal and loving companion with the people he trusts. He is full of beans and will make a rewarding and entertaining addition to the right family. He absolutely loves cheese and enjoys games where he can seek this out as his reward. He is a small dog with a big personality and will make a super pet if he is given the chance.

He would be best suited to an adult-only home where someone is around most of the time, in a quiet location with a garden to explore and relax in. He will need gradual introduction to new places, people and situations.

Several meetings at the Shelter and in the home will be necessary to ensure a smooth adoption but our team will be on-hand throughout the process to offer advice and support. We will allow a period of fostering before adoption to make sure Moses settles in his new home.

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

We would like to thank John and his colleague from Springbank Community Centre for calling in to drop off a large donat...
12/03/2025

We would like to thank John and his colleague from Springbank Community Centre for calling in to drop off a large donation of Hills puppy food!

This will be especially helpful for us at the moment with our giant Caucasian Shepherd puppy, Jack Frost, who already weights over 40kg and is still growing!

Thank you to everyone involved.

Four-year-old lop rabbits, Motsy and Cupcakes, are very sweet girls who are fine with being handled and are quite inquis...
11/03/2025

Four-year-old lop rabbits, Motsy and Cupcakes, are very sweet girls who are fine with being handled and are quite inquisitive when you go into their pen.

They love cuddling up together on their top platform or will sit in their large litter tray together munching on some hay. They absolutely love herbal forage treats.

If you would could offer Motsy and Cupcakes a forever home together, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 for an application form, or to see all our pets looking for forever homes, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

⭐Sponsor of one of Cheltenham Animal Shelter's Fun Dog Shows in 2025! ⭐We are excited to offer local businesses the oppo...
10/03/2025

⭐Sponsor of one of Cheltenham Animal Shelter's Fun Dog Shows in 2025! ⭐

We are excited to offer local businesses the opportunity to sponsor one of our four fun dog shows happening in 2025.

This is a fantastic chance to get your company’s name out there while supporting a great cause.

The events will take place at:
Tewkesbury Big Weekend – Saturday 17th May
Charlton Kings Summer Fayre – Saturday 31st May
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival – Saturday 21st June
Cheltenham Animal Shelter Summer Open Day – Saturday 5th July

For just £300, your company will receive the following benefits:
🐾 Be the sole sponsor for your chosen show.
🐾 Feature on promotional materials such as flyers, posters, programmes, and more.
🐾Promoted on our online platforms, including our website and social media channels, which have a following of over 32k on Facebook, 7.6k on Instagram and 8.2k on Twitter
🐾Exclusive opportunity to be a guest judge at the dog show you sponsor, giving you the chance to be part of the fun and engage with the community.

Your sponsorship will not only increase your brand visibility but also help raise funds for Cheltenham Animal Shelter’s important work with animals in need. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support a great cause and gain exposure for your business.

To become a sponsor, please contact 👉 [email protected] 👈- we look forward to partnering with you for a paws-itively great year!

We are delighted to have been chosen by the wonderful team at Spirax Sarco as their charity partners for the next two ye...
10/03/2025

We are delighted to have been chosen by the wonderful team at Spirax Sarco as their charity partners for the next two years! During this time, they will be supporting us by fundraising, collecting donations, and volunteering their time for gardening, site maintenance, and helping at our events.

We recently met William and his colleagues from the Pharmaceutical Sector Hub when they called in to drop off a collection of pet food donated by their team.

Thank you team SXS – we look forward to working with you in the coming months!

This week our Sunday success story features Oggy, an 18-month-old Ginger Tom who came to the Shelter when his owner beca...
09/03/2025

This week our Sunday success story features Oggy, an 18-month-old Ginger Tom who came to the Shelter when his owner became pregnant and developed allergies.

After a couple of weeks at the Shelter, Oggy met his prospective ‘pawrents’ for the first time and really didn’t do himself any favours! In his defence he had just had his neutering operation and moved to a new pen, so he was feeling a bit unsettled, but we thought he had scuppered his chances when we had to patch up his ‘hoodad’ following an uncharacteristic swipe.

Fortunately for Oggy, they were not put off and went on to adopt him. Since arriving in his new home, he has had some ups and downs, but his patient new family are doing everything they can to make him feel secure. So much so that Oggy decided to send us an update to let us know how he is getting on:

“Well, after ‘hoomum’ hissed at me when I was attacking her, I was shocked to say the least. She walked away and sat down so I decided to get on her lap for a cuddly snooze. I hadn't done that for over a week, but I could tell she was pleased as she did that baby voice telling me I was such a good boy, so handsome.

Since then, I have settled into a routine and feel much happier. I wasn't sure what was going on to start with as it was all new but now I realise I am here to stay and the house is MY house and everything in it including the ‘hoomans’ are MINE.

I haven't been in the garden yet, but it will happen soon. I like looking out the window and I LOVE going in the cellar when ‘hoomum’ goes down to get something. It is a daily ritual and she doesn't force me to come out, I wait until I can hear the rattle of the chewy stick and go bounding upstairs for my reward. Then I go mad and have a few minutes of zoomies.

Virtually every other day some bloke called Amazon arrives with toys for me. He's very kind. I've got hanging things, pompoms galore and a track with a ball which lights up which is the best!

I think I am starting to like it here! Must dash as it is cellar time... Love Oggy x”

One-year-old Archie came to the Shelter following a change in his owner’s circumstance, so he is looking for his forever...
08/03/2025

One-year-old Archie came to the Shelter following a change in his owner’s circumstance, so he is looking for his forever home.

Archie needs a patient and understanding home where he can feel safe and build trust at his own pace. When he gets overexcited, he can jump up a lot and be a little mouthy, so we think he is best suited to a home where children are aged 16+ and he will need an owner who can give him the training he needs.

While he hasn’t lived with another dog before, he is dog social and could potentially live with a calm, preferably female, dog. Archie loves toys and enrichment activities, which help him feel more comfortable and he adores affection when he’s made a bond with you.

With the right home and patient owners, he will make a wonderful and loving companion.

If you think you could be the one for Archie, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

⭐ WE ARE HIRING!! ⭐ Full-time Charity Shop ManagerAn exciting opportunity for a full-time Charity Shop Manager has unexp...
07/03/2025

⭐ WE ARE HIRING!! ⭐ Full-time Charity Shop Manager

An exciting opportunity for a full-time Charity Shop Manager has unexpectedly arisen at our newly established retail shop in Winchcombe Street in the heart of Cheltenham town centre.

This new shop has already become a vital fundraiser to support the animals in our care. The contract will be permanent, subject to a 6-month probation period, over a 37.5-hour week to run the shop and will involve weekend working.

Find out more at 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/work-with-us

We would like to say a huge thank you to 10-year-old Tabitha for organising a cake sale with the help of her friend Sien...
07/03/2025

We would like to say a huge thank you to 10-year-old Tabitha for organising a cake sale with the help of her friend Sienna. They raised £120 which is an amazing achievement and will make a big difference to our pets in in need.

Well done girls!!

Five-year-old Albus is a very loving cat who would like to find a quieter home in the country where there is a low cat p...
06/03/2025

Five-year-old Albus is a very loving cat who would like to find a quieter home in the country where there is a low cat population.

He would prefer a home with either adults only or older teenage and children no other pets. Albus likes to seek out attention and adores being made a fuss of. His most favourite things are food, sleep, fusses and sunny puddles to warm himself in. He also loves a lap to sit on.

If you have a comfy lap for Albus, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 to apply or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

It’s - a day to celebrate and encourage reading. Here at CAS, we run a scheme called Paws for Reading, alongside two ...
06/03/2025

It’s - a day to celebrate and encourage reading.

Here at CAS, we run a scheme called Paws for Reading, alongside two local primary schools and Prestbury Library, to help build children’s confidence reading by reading aloud to a rescue animal.

The project is a win-win for all and can even help reduce the stress levels of both the young person and animal!

Here is what Laura, a librarian at Prestbury library, has to say on the project:

"I would say that this project is very rewarding – it’s my favourite. The SEN pupils get to be out in the community and can enjoy being in the library. Having a dog in the room immediately reduces their anxiety levels. It has been so wonderful to see children enjoying books – especially those who didn’t think they liked them – we can always find a book that fits with their special interest. It’s satisfying to know that the animals coming from the shelter – enjoy their socialisation time too."

To find out more about the project visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/news 👈 and read our World Book Day blog.

🕵️‍♀️We would love to see your World Book Day costumes in the comments!!

Meet Jack, one of three Caucasian Shepard Puppies who were brought to the Shelter at the end of October. Jack’s siblings...
05/03/2025

Meet Jack, one of three Caucasian Shepard Puppies who were brought to the Shelter at the end of October. Jack’s siblings have now found homes, but he is still with us hoping that his new family will soon come forward.

Now eight months old and already weighing more than 40kg, Jack has made great progress with his socialisation and is now much more confident around people. However, he was not socialised or exposed to new situations in his previous home and can become anxious, so he is looking for an understanding family who have the time to help him settle in while giving him the training and support he needs.

He would like a large secure garden to help him get used to everyday life and build up his confidence. He would like to be the only pet in the home, and we feel he would be best suited to a calm environment where any children are aged 16+.

The Shelter will offer behaviour support throughout his adoption and in the home if needed, as well as puppy classes on a 1-2-1 basis.

If you could give our gentle giant the forever home he is waiting for, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

Meet Cindy – a charming two-year-old Lionhead cross Lop bunny. She’s settled in well at the Shelter and is becoming more...
04/03/2025

Meet Cindy – a charming two-year-old Lionhead cross Lop bunny.

She’s settled in well at the Shelter and is becoming more comfortable with human interaction but, while she enjoys coming over for a fuss, she’s still a bit shy when it comes to being handled. Treats and fresh veggies are her favourites, with dried carrots being particularly well received!

Cindy will thrive in a large, secure enclosure and would benefit from the company of a neutered male rabbit. Since rabbits are naturally social animals that prefer to live in pairs or small groups, we generally do not rehome them alone unless it’s deemed necessary for their welfare.

If you have space in your heart for Cindy, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 to apply or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

We’re excited to announce new volunteer opportunities available at Cheltenham Animal Shelter! If you're passionate about...
03/03/2025

We’re excited to announce new volunteer opportunities available at Cheltenham Animal Shelter!

If you're passionate about animals and want to make a difference, we’re looking for volunteers to assist with admin, animal promotion, and fundraising activities.

Visit our website for more details on the available roles and how to apply 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/work-with-us

This Sunday we have a lovely success story featuring beautiful two-year-old Persian Bengal crossbreed, Missy, who came t...
02/03/2025

This Sunday we have a lovely success story featuring beautiful two-year-old Persian Bengal crossbreed, Missy, who came to the Shelter following a change in her owner’s circumstances.

When Missy arrived, our cat rehoming team already had someone in mind to adopt her. A lovely couple had recently adopted a very nervous cat from us and were waiting to find the perfect feline companion to help him come out of his shell.

Derek and Michelle initially fostered Missy for a couple of weeks to make sure the two cats got along but soon went on to adopt her, renaming her Cleo. They sent us this lovely update:

“Cheltenham Animal Shelter contacted us about adopting Missy (now Cleo), as they had recommended finding a companion for our recently adopted male cat, Raymond.

Raymond was a nervous boy who had been saved by CAS after he had been neglected by his previous owners and had been living in a cardboard box at the bottom of a garden.

CAS suggested we introduce him to a confident and charismatic furry companion to help him come out of his shell… enter Cleo! In many ways she was the opposite of Raymond – clearly she was a Princess who adored attention and a tickle, and at feeding times she is around our legs making it clear she wants her dinner!

Anyhow, Cleo quickly got to know Raymond and they have become the best of friends. They will often cuddle up on the same bed or sofa, they enjoy grooming each other and having a friendly wrestle. Most days they will chase each other around the house and if one of them is asleep somewhere, the other will often call out to come and play.

Cleo and Raymond get on so well and it has been so rewarding for us to get to know them both. We feel so lucky to have adopted both Cleo and Raymond from CAS and they bring us joy every day – they are our family.”

What a fantastic outcome for everyone! We are delighted to hear how well things have worked out for two of our rescue cats and their forever families.

⭐ OUR WORKSHOP ON 14TH MARCH CAN HELP! ⭐When we refer to dogs being reactive it generally means when our dogs show signs...
01/03/2025

⭐ OUR WORKSHOP ON 14TH MARCH CAN HELP! ⭐

When we refer to dogs being reactive it generally means when our dogs show signs of worry and frustration to stimuli on a walk. This may be other dogs, animals, or people.

Signs of a reactive dog may include:

• Lunging and barking at a person or dog
• Bouncing around on the lead
• They may try to get out of their harness or collar
• Trying to hide behind the owner
• Pulling away

If you would like to learn more about dog reactivity our canine behaviour team will be sharing their advice and knowledge through our Understanding Dog Reactivity Talk hosted at Cheltenham Animal Shelter!

During the workshop you will learn about reactivity body language, trigger stacking, and the motivations behind why your dog may be reacting to other dogs.

You will also learn different ways to focus your dog with mentally stimulating games such as, find it, counter conditioning, and name conditioning.

Find out more and book your place at 👉 www.gawa.org.uk/events-calendar 👈

Six-year-old H***h is a lovable, affectionate boy who is looking for a calm and understanding home. He is a friendly and...
01/03/2025

Six-year-old H***h is a lovable, affectionate boy who is looking for a calm and understanding home. He is a friendly and sociable dog who enjoys meeting new people. He absolutely loves cuddles, belly rubs, and relaxing on the sofa with his humans. He’s highly motivated by treats and enjoys spending quality time with his family.

He would benefit from a home with a good-sized garden, as he may struggle with long walks due to his breed. When in the garden, he does tend to bark at people passing by, so his new family will need to consider their location carefully, and he is not a fan of having his nails trimmed and will need patience with this!

H***h was only left for short periods in his previous home and does not like being in a kennel environment. He would thrive in a home where someone is around most of the time to keep him company.

This gentle soul would be best suited to a family or individual who enjoys a slower pace of life and is looking for a loyal and affectionate companion to share their days with.

If you think H***h might be the perfect dog for you, please email 👉 [email protected] 👈 to apply or to see all our pets waiting to be adopted, please visit 👉 www.gawa.org.uk 👈

18-month-old Luna was brought to the shelter by her previous owner when she was heavily pregnant and gave birth to her k...
28/02/2025

18-month-old Luna was brought to the shelter by her previous owner when she was heavily pregnant and gave birth to her kittens just two days before Christmas.

Luna is a loving and affectionate cat who thrives on attention. We believe she may be happy to live with children, but we’d like her to meet any potential young family members to see how she interacts with them. Luna may also be open to sharing her home with other cats and possibly a calm, cat-friendly dog.

Once she’s settled in, Luna would appreciate having access to the outdoors.

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

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.