Yogi

We adopted Yogi from Cheltenham Animal Shelter nearly 4 years ago when he was about 4 years old. Yogi had had at least 3 previous homes and numerous names. He was Toby when we chose him, and Leggy before that, but we liked Yogi instead! He was very very thin and the Shelter staff were very worried about him so we brought him back every 2 weeks for a weight check and after a month he was nearly double his original weight, but still not fat by any means. One of the nurses at CAS couldnt believe it was the same dog! He is now about 8 years old and very much enjoying life with our other rescue dog Bonnie (from the Dogs Trust). They love playing together with their toys and even have their very own sofa in the lounge. Yogi has been on numerous cottage holidays to Devon, and this year it will be North Wales! He loves swimming and the beach. He also now goes to an agility class once a week in Cheltenham and is getting pretty good considering he's not young. So you can teach an old dog new tricks! Yogi attended the Shelter's open day last summer and won the special dog award! He really is a lovely boy, a little naughty at times but mostly very loving. I have lived with rescue dogs since I was 3 years old, I am now 22 and would say to anyone considering getting a dog, it has got to be a rescue dog every time!
 
Sophie, Yogi and Bonnie

Spok

We adopted Spok, a 3 year old black and white female cat, earlier this week. After a rather stressful first 36 hours Spok has calmed down and is now like a different cat. She has almost stopped hissing and scratching entirely and lets us stroke her at almost any time. She is very inquisitive and even sleeps on my lap. She is still a bit jumpy when someone comes to the door and gets spooked at some noises but she seems quite happy and gaining in confidence every day.

Buster

Hi to all my friends at Cheltenham Animal Shelter. I came to my new home two weeks ago and have settled in really well. My new family adore me and give me lots of cuddles and fun. As you can see by the photo, I like to lie on the settee next to my new 'mum' where she can scratch my chin for me! I love playing with all my new toys espcially the piece of tinsel left over from Christmas and my furry snake on a stick! Thank you all so much for taking care of me until my new family came to get me.
 
Lots of love from Buster

Lucas

Thank you all for your help in us adopting Lucas. Keep up the hard work, the animals appreciate it even if some of the humans you have to deal with don't!

Honey & Bea

It has been a very busy few months for Honey and Bea. Just recently they have enjoyed their fist taste of Christmas. Honey especially enjoyed opening her stocking with a few treats in it and Bea enjoyed her toy so much that he didnt make it to the new year! With the snow falling from the sky, Honey joined in sibling snowfights and helped build the snow man. Bea was a bit more weary and enjoyed running back into the warm and being wrapped in her blanket and snuggled by everyone.  

Knight family inc. Honey and Bea xx

Gypsy

Gypsy is doing really well. She has settled around home, loves playing ball and has been on loads of nice walks (we are getting fit). Infact, most evenings she ends up fast asleep in her bed in the lounge and snoring very loudly - we have to turn the telly up! We have met a few dogs out walking and she seems to be getting a bit better. We 'shooosh' at her when she leaps and snarls and she then goes into a submissive posture - it seems to be getting a bit easier! We have an appointment with Di next Wednesday, so we will let you know how we get on.

Dougal, Dennis & Doughnut

This is Dougal, emailing from my new home! My two brothers and I are guinea pigs who were adopted about 6 weeks ago. When at the shelter, we were known as Dougal, Danny and Dermot. We now are Dougal, Dennis and Doughnut. Life is very good here with regular meals of carrots, cucumber (our favourite), curly kale... as well as delicious guinea pig nuggets, and lots of play time every day. Every evening we enjoy our meal on the bed in the spare bedroom, with a lot of fuss and attention from our new owners. Even our new friend, their elderly cat Frisbee, is no bother at all. In fact, he may even be a bit scared of us as there are three of us and only one of him!
 
We have become stars among our new family's friends as everyone wants to come and meet us. Great but very tiring! We are looking forward to spring when we will be sampling the great outdoors, and more specifically the lawn! I've attached a picture of myself and my brothers on the said spare bed, sharing a cucumber...bliss!  I am the one on the left hand side, followed by Dennis in the middle, and Doughnut on the right hand side.
 
Kind regards and thank you again to all at the Cheltenham Animal Shelter.

Brandy

I just wanted to a give you an update on Brandy who we adopted in November. We had already read Marley & Me when we collected him, so thought we were ready for him....! He has certainly changed our lives....for the better. He is such a beautiful boy, with a lovely nature and is full of character. He gets two walks each day and as a result if far too tired to get into too much trouble when he gets home. He is loving the snow at the moment and can not understand why it disappears when he tries to eat it.

We are taking him to some classes to work on his walking and jumping up, but aside from that we have had no problems with him. He still thinks he’s the cute little Andrex puppy and acts like it – I even caught him running around the house with a loo roll over the holidays! I have attached some pictures so you can see how well he is doing.

Shadow

Here is Shadow our gorgeous dog from the Shelter. You couldn't wish for a better pet!

Rufus

Woof there! I'm Rufus, a Staffy X. I was rehomed just after Christmas (Jan 2007) when I was about 9 months old. I had only been in the Shelter for a few weeks and dad spotted me. My lucky day! I was collected the following Saturday and raced around my new house checking it out - I was quite impressed, immediatley felt quite safe and promptly fell asleep in mum's arms. For the first three months I was quite quiet and didn't bark and I had a windy bum! But I just tilted my head looked cute and blamed that on dad. My parents are just brilliant (but dont tell them) and really spoil me (especially mum). I get lots of cuddles and kisses and like nothing more than sunbathing. I am a little bit naughty as I sleep on the bed with mum...dad has been relegated to the back room so I like to keep him company for about two hours a night (told you I was spoilt). In the morning I am really good at waking up dad for my play in the park with my friends. 
 
Rufus (the wonder dog)

Mittens

Hello - just to let you know that Mittens has settled in very well...still a little shy but is certainly feeling very at home; even on the first night I found her sleeping on my daughter’s bed! Mittens likes to spend each evening on the sofa with us and tends to purr very loudly – surely a good sign. From the first night, Mittens made it clear that she likes company and did not want to sleep alone. As a result, she usually spends her nights visiting each of our bedrooms for cuddles. 

Summer

We have had Summer for 5 weeks now and she has settled in rather quickly! It is as though she has been a part of the family for a while. She has started to put on a bit of weight and is very active, in fact she is loopy! She is a very loving girl and likes lots of cuddles and kisses, she has also got quite a funny character. Summer loves going for long walks, going for a ride in the car and curling up on our kid's bed. She is not very fond of cats but loves people. We would like to thank you for allowing us to give Summer a good loving home.   

Kiwi

Kiwi has been with us for just over a week now and is settling in very well. During her first week as a family member Kiwi has helped Bobby (our labrador) and I on the Avon delivery round (big hit with customers), has been to a farm auction and visited Stinchcombe Golf Course and the Tyndale monument. She loves to come to the stables to visit the horses where she plays with Bobby in the yard, and keeps a close eye on me to make sure I am mucking out efficiently...even looking over the door to check my grooming skills. Thank you for suggesting Kiwi to us, she is a little angel, who has become a member of our family in such a short time.

Claire, Harri, Sonny and Bobby x
  

Vala (Mokey)

Vala (was Mokey) has been part of our family for just over a week now and has settled in fantastically. Loki, her new big brother, has shown her the ropes and is helping us teach her the best way to behave as well as lots of tricks! She is learning fast. Vala has made lots of new friends and enjoys going out and meeting even more. She is a beautiful and intelligent dog and we just want to say thank you to Cheltenham Animal Shelter for introducing her to us.

Grace

Hi to all my friends! I have been at my new home for about a month now and I really like it. My new owners say that I am lovely and that they are so lucky to have me (they are not bad either). They take me for long walks every day and sometimes I go out jogging with one of them. There are some chickens and a cat called Topsy that also live here, whilst at first I did not like them, we are now all best friends. There are so many exciting new smells that when my owners call me back I don’t always respond even though when I do I have lots of cuddles, so we are practicing this a lot with a long lead. Thank you for all that you did for me, and for the support (especially Sarah) that you have given my new owners.

Gracie  

Amber

Amber has settled in very well and is enjoying her new life in the country. She has also started to put on some weight and is much calmer than when she first arrived a few weeks ago.   

Milo

Here are a couple of photos I took of the Jack Russell Terrier Hamish (now called Milo) who I adopted from you earlier this year, with my other dog Ruby the Staffy. Milo and Ruby have been pretty much 'best buds' since he first joined us. It took about three months before the cat relaxed around him as she is quite old and he can be very bouncy, but they all deal together OK now.  

Bessie

We adopted Bessie 2 years ago when she was 6 months old and she was a very scared, nervous little girl. She had been badly treated by her previous owner and took a while to come round to new people. She is now a friendly, playfull big girl who loves her rubber chicken and the couch! Well worth the hard work it took to get where she is today...now just to get rid of her sock addiction!!

Elmo

Hello - just thought I would get in touch to let you know that I am settling in well after leaving you early this morning and my new owners have bought me lots of nice things! Everyone is very impressed with me so far. I travelled all the way to the Forest of Dean straight after breakfast and without being sick in the car (although I wouldn't let them put me in that crate)! Once I had sniffed my way around the house and garden, we had a game of fetch with my squeaky cow and then I showed my new owners just how clever I am with all of the tricks I have learnt (my new owners said to tell you that they are very grateful for all your hard work).
 
We sat down in the living room for a little bit and I found a nice fluffy rug to sit on. Afterwards, I went for my first walk in the forest which was lots of fun. I sniffed lots of things but also got some prickles stuck in my paw. The nice man knew what to do though and it's much better now.
 
It's raining now so I'm snuggled up in my new crate (i've decided it's not so bad after all...), all this walking and playing has made me quite sleepy! Must sign off now, my new owners don't let me use the computer and they'll be very upset if they find me. See you in a couple of weeks for my holiday!
 
Hugs and kisses, Elmo x

Jake

Woof Woof! It's Jake here.... I was adopted just a few weeks ago. It has been a busy few weeks: I have enjoyed long walks in the park and playing games with my new best friend - my owner. I am very protective of her and I still become excitable but my new owner is patient and rewards good behaviour. I love lots of cuddles and despite what was reported of me I have not attacked any other dogs or cats. I'm full of energy but when it all wares me out I love nothing more than having a cuddle with my new owner. Woof woof!
 
Jake is full of life, loves running water and can go for as many walks a day as you can give and still have energy to play at home. He's a wonderful friend and companion. He was reported to have some difficulties with other animals but for the most part he has been fine. I have sought an animal behaviourist to help me work on his behaviour, but with love and kindness in just a few weeks Jake has learned so much. I'll never regret getting Jake and can't imagine ever being without him.

Kerry Fry
  

Charlie

Hello - just a quick note to let you know that I am settling in to my new home. My new staff are coming along in their training and I think they may do! I have been exploring around my new house. Thank you so much for looking after me so well.
 
Love from Charlie and also from Cecilia and Martyn (Charlie's new staff!)  

Samson

We adopted Blacky (now renamed Samson though he tends to be called Sambob) a few months ago. He has settled in so well, he is such a chilled out confident chap who seems afraid of nothing, just a bit wary of the pet rats (seems odd for a cat)! In his new home he loves his garden and a good cuddle, his coat has grown back now and has put on a little weight. We absolutely adore him - thank you for letting us give him a new home.

Lau & Joey
  

Neville

Hi, it’s Neville here,  I came to my new home in April and thought you might like an update to see how I am getting on!

When I arrived I was still very weak and bony as I had been living as a stray and not been very happy. I settled into my new home straight away and spent the first few weeks just having lots of cuddles with my new mum and dad and eating lots of food. mum and dad were pleased because I put on weight and my bones stopped sticking out and I became stronger. We moved to a new house last month which I really like as it has a nice garden which I can relax in. My favourite hobbies these days are lying under my favourite tree or on a garden chair, being brushed, playing with string, sitting on cushions, lazing in bed. Most of all I like cuddles with my mum and dad. Thank you Cheltenham Animal Shelter for rescuing me and then finding me a new mum and dad who love me very much, I am very happy now!

Love from Nev xxx

Wilma

I just thought I would let you all know how Wilhelmina (I call her Wilma most of the time) is getting on. She has fit in so well, it is like I have never been without her! As soon as we got her out on the first day she was walking around checking everything out. She is a fantastic cat and I adore her, I have attached a couple of pictures so you can see how she is doing. Her favourite place to sleep is on the bed with me, but she has a tendency to wake me up because she purrs so loudly!
 
Thanks so much for letting me re-home her, she is perfect! 

Angus

Angus the Chocolate Lab (originally called Cadbury) came to us in April 2009. He seemed to be a bit scared and timid at the Shelter but now he is a great family dog. Angus is playful, happy, lively and obedient. The whole family loves him. He adores walks and chasing a ball. We feel that we are very lucky to own him - he is such a lovely and kind dog.

The Withers Family

Holly & Oscar

Just to let you know that Holly and Oscar (formally Pepsi and Ross) are like mother and son as you can see. Oscar has been dry and clean apart from the first day. He is now one of our family and very much loved by all including Holly. We believe that coming to you for a new pet is probably the best thing for anyone who wants a new dog. Thanks to everyone.

Adrian & Lucinda

Jack

We have had Jack (was Boomer) for just over a week now and he has been amazing. He is really well behaved and has fitted in so well with all the family. He loves going on big walks and coming in the car with us. His favourite things to do are playing with his many toys and rolling around on the floor with them, going on big walks up the Beacon, going on car journeys and eating! We are so glad we have got Jack in our life because he makes us all laugh with his antics!

Bridget, Larry, Matt & Parisa 

Tabitha

Hi CAS,

We adopted Tabitha a couple of weeks ago and as you can see she is very much at home. Has just been allowed out for the first time and is getting to know the garden. Seems to be enjoying herself greatly, and is a good friend to have about the home. Don't think she likes the three tortoises much though - they like creeping up on her if they get the chance!

Andy & Lizzie  

Sasha

Dear all at Cheltenham Animal Shelter,

We thought you would like some news of Sasha (you knew her as Sadie) who we adopted from you on 22nd April.  She is settling in really well.  It has taking quite a lot of work, but we had expected that and she has made huge progress. She is eating properly now and has put on a bit of weight. She started walks off lead and is brilliant at coming back when called, looks round frequently to see where we are and loves going across the fields and through the woods. At last we have made progress with her on the farm with the ponies – she now goes off lead under close supervision and has learned to keep her distance from them.  She is also much better with our cats. It took just a week for her to realise that going in the car always leads to an outing and she now jumps in as soon as the back is opened.

She has calmed down really well at home and knows her daily routine. She tends to eat the carpet but we are trying to gradually build up the time she can be left - last week she managed around two hours without doing any damage, I think she just needs to learn that we will always come back!

Sasha is such a lovely dog, really affectionate and has bonded to us brilliantly. We are so pleased with her and are sure she is going to continue to make progress over the next year. Thank you so much for letting us have her.

Sue & Dave  

Benson

To all at the Shelter,
 
You will remember me as Jasper, but I am now Benson, living with my new family. I love it here, going for the walks and playing games. I have enclosed a couple of photos to show how much i am enjoying myself. I cannot thank you enough for looking after me (both times that I was with you) and i am pleased to tell you I have finally found somewhere where I can enjoy myself and live. I am being very good, as I know I get a treat if i'm good!
 
Thank you again, Benson  

Brian

We addopted 'Cobweb' who is now 'Brian' back in October 2008. He is a wonderful, tame and very friendly chap who we all love very much. He took some time to come out of his shell, but now he is so confident yet very laid back! He just loves to roam the garden on nice days and loves our pet dog - they just wander about together as if they have always known each other!
 
We just wanted you to see how well he has settled in and how happy we all are! Many thanks for helping us find each other, he is such a gem - we feel privileged to have him.
 
Love Brian's Family

Ricky

I adopted Ricky five weeks ago as a companion for my Border Collie Rabbie following the loss of my adorable Belgian Shepherd Cross Binky (also adopted from the shelter). Ricky has settled in brilliantly and he and Rabbie get on extremely well. Everyone who meets him is surprised at how gentle and quiet Ricky is, he enjoys playing with toys and he also loves going out in the car.
 
Ricky has lots of canine friends, but his two best friends are Misha and Emily who are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Ricky's one weakness is that he likes to chase cats, although he has quickly learned to ignore them whilst on lead walks, which is a bonus for me as he is very strong.
 
Ricky likes nothing better than to have a snooze on his bed especially after a walk or playing football in the garden with Rabbie, he also enjoys his treats and is very contented and undemanding. I'm very proud of Ricky and am so pleased that I saw his details on your website.
 
Thank you to everyone at the shelter for taking such good care of Ricky.
 
Pam, Rabbie and Ricky.     

Leo

We are the proud owners of Leo who was a long term occupant of your shelter untill a few weeks ago. We would give you a quick update on what he is up to at the moment seeing as everyone at the shelter seemed so attached to him. He has been attending dog training for the last few weeks and has been coming on leaps and bounds, to the extent that we now have him recall trained as long as their are no rabbits or sheep in the area!

Once again thank you all for the support we recieved in rehoming Leo.

Tony & Family  

Milo

We thought you would like to see how Milo was getting on in his new home and with his new little sister Cleo. Even though he has only been with us for just over a week it feels more like we have had him forever! He has settled in so well and very much knows this is his new home He and Cleo are the best of friends and causing lots of mischief. Here are a couple of photo's to show you how much he loves his new home!
 
Greg and Kate.  

Roxy

Roxy here! Just thought I would let you know how well I am getting on with my new family. I have been with them for 4 months now and it’s going really well. I am getting lots of exercise around the village and in the surrounding fields. I get absolutely filthy trekking across the fields, but it's such good fun. I get to run around one particular field off my leash which is really good. We play fetch in this field and I always come back when I am called – I soon realised that I get a treat every time I come back! I have had a few hydrobaths now – that was a bit scary to start with but the power shower makes me feel better and I come out smelling fantastic although my fur is a bit bushy!

It didn’t take me long to settle in with my new family. We had a couple of problems to start with but that is because we were all unsure of each other – we are all OK now though and I really feel at home with them.  My new family just wish I would stop chewing their table whenever any of their phones go off!!

My parents try to play hide and seek with some treats for me when they go out but they are not very good at hiding things andI always find my treats! My new mum keeps buying me new toys. This all started at Christmas - I even have my own toy box now! She likes it when I am rolling on my back with my ball in my mouth because I throw the ball across the room by myself and then jump up to fetch it.  

Rufus

To all my friends at the Cheltenham Animal Shelter,

I have been in my new home for a week now and I am doing really well! I have a nice bed to sleep on, plenty of food and my new sister Holly is looking after me. She is definitely in charge and so are the cats! I have been going on nice long walks with my new family and I love it. I cannot get enough of the new sniffs everywhere. I have been barking a little bit when holly and I are left at home, but we are not left long so I am not causing any disturbances. My new mum has asked the neighbours to listen out and see if I am barking lots, but i’m not because I have my new big sister to look after me.

Thank you for all that you have done for me and I hope you like the pictures!

Lots of love and licks from Rufus xxxx

Basil

In August 2008 we adopted a cat named Basil, we were told that he had been rehomed for 6 months and then brought back because he brought a mouse in. Well, he isn't just fond of mice - he likes birds, caterpillars and the occasional spider!

We visited the Shelter thinking we would get a cat which wasn't overly furry so there wouldn't be so much hair everywhere, but when we got to the last cage and saw this white and ginger fluffball rolling around and trying to reach us through the bottom of the door we knew instantly that he was the one! After constantly thinking about Basil over the weekend we came back first thing Monday morning to get him. Since then he has been an absolute pleasure. Basil even has made friends with the neighbourhood cat Boots -  Boots runs to our front door in the morning to pick Basil up for morning playtime...this is followed by Basil coming back in for his afternoon nap of around 4 hours!!

Basil has made such an impact on our house that we can't imagine not having him in our lives, thank you Animal Shelter for letting us have him, you all do a great job.

Elizabeth & Family

Finn

These are some photos of Finn who we adopted 2 years ago. He settled in straight away and has brought a whole lot of fun to our home ever since. We quickly established some house rules, but although he’s mostly very well-behaved, he still sometimes thinks he knows best!

Finn goes to flyball and agility classes which he thoroughly enjoys, and we’ve started to enter competitions. We’ve even won a few rosettes. He is a typical Collie, full of energy, always wants to play and is loving and loyal to those who treat him well. On days when we are both out at work he is looked after by his Nana or by a friend at a nearby farm. He really has quite a good life! I will never regret going to visit the animal shelter – rehoming Finn is the best thing we’ve ever done. Thank you for taking care of him while we found each other.

Julie, Patrick and Finn

Pepper

We rehomed Pepper, a little scruffy Jack Russell Terrier from you in September of 2007. She was called 'Peppi' at the Shelter. She was really timid and unsure but is now a great family dog. Pepper is more confident, playful and so obedient. We adore her and feel really lucky to own her. She loves chasing balls and is energetic on her walks - a great companion to my son. She is just perfect.

Sally Ashton

Finn II

Just wanted to let you know Finn is settling in really well. He seems to have decided that he'd quite like to stay and is trying really hard to please! He's very affectionate and has beautiful manners....he's even getting a bit better on the lead! We've included a few photos - hope you like them.

Kate, Marc & Finn

Ghibli

We rehomed a three year old black and white cat four months ago. The Shelter had named him Barnacle and when we came to see him it was his first day and we actually thought the cage was empty until one of the staff asked if we wanted to see him.

From the moment I put my hand out to this soppy moggy he latched onto me like a barnacle, and I knew he was the one! We re-named him Ghibli and gave him a bed under the radiator (which is one of his favourite places).

Ghibli is a lovely cat, he's very sensitive, daft - quite often Ghibli will become so relaxed he even falls off of the sofa! He loves nothing more than being carried arround and being cuddled, even the vet said he was like a little baby! His favourite places are the bathroom sink... and the wardrobe in my shoebox. Rehoming Ghibli has enhanced our lives he makes us smile and it's so warming to be able to give a lovely pet like Ghibli a place to live and a happy home.

I want to thank the Cheltenham animal Shelter, you've given us a friend for life!

Sophie and Rob...and Ghibli!

Molly

Hello do you remember me? My name is Molly (formerly Maggie). My Mummy and Daddy adopted me 2 years ago. I wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know how well I have done since I left the Shelter. Mummy says she cannot believe that I am the same little cat that she saw shaking in the corner of her pen - once she had seen me she just had to take me home! I had been a stray and was very timid. After a slow start (I spent two days hiding behind the TV), I slowly gained confidence and am now busy climbing trees and exploring the garden in between catching up on beauty sleep (it's hard work being a cat). I am now a happy, healthy and really affectionate cat. As you can see from the photos I help out around the house by doing the shopping.

Mummy says that I have given her and Daddy huge pleasure and joy and that it was the best £60 that she has ever spent. Thank you so much to everyone at the Animal Shelter and to the people who found me - without you I do not know where I would be today.

Molly xx

Hastings

Hi - Hastings here, although you probably remember me as Wexford. I saw the photo of my brother Watson on your website and thought I would drop you a line to let you know how I am getting on. It was good to see Watson again...i've not seen him since March last year. We were the last 2 left in a litter of 8...you know what they say about keeping the best till last!

I was adopted just after Watson and immediately made myself indispensable to my new family by proving to be a dab hand at gardening (picture 1). I was a little timid initially and sometimes needed a cuddle to make me feel better (picture 2) but I am now much more confident and am doing well with my training having won several rosettes (picture 3). I'm really enjoying life and now I am getting bigger, I particularly like the long walks in the countryside - everyone I meet tells me how handsome I am.

I would like to thank everyone at the Cheltenham Animal Shelter for looking after me so well when I was first there and also when I came on my holidays in July. Happy New Year to you all - and if Watson reads this, I think i'm the better looking...... only joking bruv :-)

Hastings

Spider

We visited the Animal Shelter open day back in 2004. Whilst looking around the kennels and we noticed a very quiet and scared scruffy Terrier hiding and trembling in the back of her kennel. We left the shelter thinking of this nervous dog called Salcey and we returned to visit her again with less people - she was still shy but not so scared.

We took her for small walks and talked to staff at the shelter who were very open and honest about what sort of dog she was. She was described as a Heinz 57 (a crossbreed) who was nervous, jealous and should be re-homed with a family with no other pets or young children as she had nipped in the past. We decided we would give this little girl a chance (she had already been re-homed once but brought back) and we have not looked back since!

We renamed her Spider and with a lot of TLC, walks and training she is a different dog. Although she will always be a nervous girl, she is the best and we would like to thank the Animal Shelter for letting us re-home her!! Re-homing rescue pets is great....everyone deserves a second chance!!

Keep up the good work, Spider & Family

Tilly

We are delighted with our Cheltenham Animal shelter dog we happily rehomed almost 6 years ago. She is now called Tilly but then was known as Skittle. We had her at 9 months and she settled in to our country location really well. Jo, the rehoming officer at the time, gave me some good advice and we took Tilly to behaviour classes transforming her from bouncy and boisterous into a well mannered little lady to be proud of. She now comes when called and enjoys walks out in the fields twice a day. We were told she was found as a stray but wow hasn`t she changed!

We are so pleased with our new family member that we are now looking for a companion to keep her company and go for walks. We would like to thank all Animal Shelter staff for the wonderful job they do.

Kindest Regards, Sharn, Ricci and Tilly

Crackers

This is Crackers, he was about 4 years old when we rehomed him four years ago now. He loves his home and gets plenty of walks... although we can never shut him up when the door goes! He has learned very important tricks like spin, balance on his hind legs and rollover...as well as the usual sit and lie down!

He is always happy and very hyper and we love him!!

Max

Hello, this is Max here, although my shelter name was Griffin. I want you all to know that I am really happy in my new home and this is a picture of me looking out of the window with my two favourite toys. When I came to you I was very scared of people and other dogs. I was very thin and didn't know what would happen to me. Because I was scared I sometimes could look a bit aggressive, but underneath all I wanted was people and a home that I could love and they me.

I am making real progress now and feel much more confident. I love going for lots of walks and especially the long ones when it is muddy. The home I live in has a cat so we know who is boss! It is warm and I have everything I need. I now like it when people come and visit as I know they will make a fuss of me. I am still a bit nervous when I go out but I am getting stronger every day. Thank you everyone at the shelter for looking after me until I fell on my feet. Please give a message to all my animal friends at the shelter that soon you will have a nice home with a kind owner.

Happy Chrismas and may some roast turkey 'fall' your way! Love Max

Sooty

This is Sooty aged 16, who came home with us in August 1999 aged 7 approximately at the time. His original owner had taken him to the vets with two other cats and asked the vet to put them down. The vet sent them in to the Cheltenham Animal Shelter and all three cats were rehomed.

Sooty was very timid at first and hid behind the washing machine and under the spare room bed for the first 2 weeks or so. He gradually relaxed and fell in love with our daughter who was 9 years old at the time. She is now at University and he loves her weekends at home. Sooty is the senior Gentleman in the household now and has shared his life with a succession of three dogs now passed on. He now shares life with another cat who moved in on us and a house rabbit. Sooty has almost retired from hunting now just one per season to prove he still can!

Sooty is pure gold, a complete gentleman, with honest emotions. He loves lying by the wood burner on a bean bag and when a Great Dane comes to stay for the weekend occasionally, he seems to enjoy seeing a dog again, whatever the size! He always greets us with a meow and a roll on his back for his tummy to be rubbed. He has enriched our lives beyond measure.

Thanks to the animal shelter,

The Surl Family

Watson

We adopted Watson in March 08. Not long after we lost my mother and he has helped us to get through this tough time. Watson has made a good friend - Ted the Chocolate Labrador. We live together along with four other dogs...and they all keep us on our toes!

Regards, The Cooper Family