West Norfolk RSPCA centre at Tilney All Saints celebrate record year of rehoming with more than 500 pets finding families
A record amount of animals were found places to live last year by West Norfolk RSPCA’s rehoming centre.
A total of 212 dogs, 223 cats, 20 rabbits and 64 other animals including hamsters, guinea pigs and more, found a happy and loving home thanks to volunteers and staff at the centre.
But it hasn’t been an easy ride, as branch manager Carl Saunders explains, as caring for more animals than ever has cost the centre a staggering £22,000 extra.
The RSPCA branch, which is based at Tilney All Saints, is run independently, meaning the centre has to fund itself completely.
The centre is also fundraising for a new ambulance, set to cost £27,000 including crates, to replace their current one which has done more than 100,000 miles.
The new ambulance would have solar panels on it, which would save the Eau Brink centre around £3,000 a year.
So far, just over £9,000 has been raised via a Crowdfunder for the ambulance, which is still open to donations.
Carl said that out of the 519 animals rehomed by the centre in 2024, he estimates that 95% of them were adopted by people who live in West Norfolk.
Carl said: “Rehoming is going very well, whether we have another record year in 2025, we will have to see.
“It’s fantastic that the people of West Norfolk are stepping up to support us.”
He added: “It has always been my goal to reach rehoming 500 animals since I joined the team here five years ago.”
Carl explained that 50% of the RSPCA’s funding comes from its charity shops based in Lynn and Hunstanton.
That’s why it is so important that people buy items from the shop, and donate them too.
Recently, two generous people donated high-end items including two Burberry coats and a Nespresso coffee machine.
The centre struggled massively during the Covid-19 pandemic when shops were closed and its charity shop couldn’t open.
However, on a more positive note, the pandemic did see a surge of animals finding new homes with more people than ever being confined to their homes.
“We had just eight dogs here, you just wondered what was going on,” Carl said.
“Last year, we were running at maximum capacity for both dogs and cats.”
Carl put the record number of animals rehomed last year down to its “dedicated team” of volunteers.
He said: “I come from a commercial background and owned and ran a warehouse. Staff would be reaching for their coats as soon as the bell went.
“People here don’t care when they leave. We have a minimum of 25 volunteers coming in here every week. Without these, we couldn’t do what we do here.”
The centre can look up to around 24 dogs at a time, each of those needing two walks a day.
The Eau Brink centre also sees many cats come through its doors, some of them being feral and needing lots of attention before they can be rehomed.
However, Eau Brink’s head of cats Helena Redfern also finds homes for some feral moggies in rural settings including farms.
“She recently found homes for four cats on an alpaca farm near Nottingham,” Carl added.
“It’s brilliant we are able to seek out these kind of locations.”
Carl explained that rabbits have become a “forgotten pet”.
“We have had increased difficulty in rehoming them,” Carl said.
He added that owners typically used to keep them in hutches that were way too small for them.
He said: “People have become more aware that they need more space, but it has made rabbits much harder to rehome, but it is the right thing to do.”
There are currently five rabbits at the Eau Brink Centre. There are two sets of pairs, Willow and Oakley and Blousey and Tallulah.
There is also one-year-old Margot, who is looking to be rehomed with a neutered male.
Carl added: “We do really well with rehoming small animals including hamsters and guinea pigs.”
Want to be one of the many that make a huge impact on an animal’s life by rehoming them in 2025? take a look at some of the adorable pets needing a home below…
Dexter:
Dexter came to Eau Brink via the inspector. He was found in what was supposed to be his home in the cold and dark amongst piled-up rubbish and dirt.
Dexter, who is in his senior years, was flea-ridden, had fur missing with sore skin and he was underweight.
He was naturally terrified of everything and has taken a while to settle. He has come on so much and can be an affectionate, fussy boy with people he knows.
He gets very excited when it’s bath time followed by a few treats. Dexter can still be a little wary of strangers, and also scared of men, so the centre feels a lady owner with a quiet home and few visitors is best. However, if men want to apply, they can do so if they are up for making multiple visits.
Dexter would need someone with experience with rescue dogs who have been neglected and under-socialized and an in-home consult for behavioural support will be included as part of his rehoming.
Dexter will need to be rehomed locally, within an hour’s travelling distance, so that staff at the centre can offer full support to adopters.
Herbie:
Herbie is a sweet older boy who loves a nap or two during the day. However, he is still active and loves to play, and enjoys his walks.
Herbie is clean and settled throughout the day. He will need a quiet, adult-only home as he can be uncomfortable around children. He will also need a secure garden and someone at home whilst he settles.
Hollie:
Sweet Hollie has sadly come back to the centre as unfortunately, it didn’t work out in her new home.
It became evident that she needed to be an only cat. Hollie can be a little shy at first, but once she settles, she likes to have a fuss on her terms.
Hollie, who is five years old, just needs owners who will accept her for who she is.
Hollie’s new owners would need to understand that she might take a while to settle and will need her own space to come around and not overcrowd her. Once allowed outside, Hollie would like a nice-sized garden to explore and play in.
Onyx:
Beautiful Onyx is a very friendly, sweet girl who has a lovely temperament.
Onyx needs to be the only cat as she isn’t a fan of a feline friend. She really enjoys a fuss, is always happy to see you and enjoys playing with her toys.
Onyx’s new owners will need to be around while she settles to give her the attention she enjoys and once allowed outside, a nice-sized garden to explore and play in.
Blousey and Tallulah:
Blousey and Tallulah are a lovely pair of bonded rabbits who are looking for their forever home together.
These girls are very sweet-natured, easily handled, and are very inquisitive.
They love being outside on the grass where you will find them exploring and doing “binkys”.
These beautiful girls will need spacious accommodation where they will have plenty of room to roam around and play.
They will require plenty of enrichment to keep them entertained. Outside, they will need a predator-proof large enclosure with access to grass and water.
Willow and Oakley:
Willow and Oakley are a lovely pair of bonded rabbits who are looking for their forever home together.
This stunning duo are around two to three years old and can easily be picked up and handled.
They require the same kind of environment as the rabbits listed above.
Margot:
Margot arrived at the centre through no fault of her own.
Margot is a very friendly and inquisitive rabbit and can be handled easily. She is very clean in her pen, loves to explore, and is very sweet-natured.
She really enjoys being out on the grass exploring the area and will come running up to you when you go see her.
Margot is looking for a neutered male she can be bonded with. She will need spacious accommodation with lots of enrichment along with outdoor access in a spacious contained area where she can explore and binky.
Margot’s outdoor space will need to be weatherproofed, and predator-proof with plenty of items to keep her occupied.