Donations to Bath Cats & Dogs Home’s Winter Appeal will be doubled until Tuesday 5th December, thanks to the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

Young rescue dog Roly | Photo courtesy of Bath Cats & Dogs Home
The charity is fundraising for urgently needed building improvements to their vet suite and recovery room facilities.
It hopes to raise £8,500, with all donations being doubled by match funders up to £17,000 to help Bath Cats and Dogs Home improve their facilities for rescue animals.
Last year, 98% of the animals brought into Bath Cats and Dogs Home arrived with urgent concerns for their welfare so the busy vet suite is constantly working at full capacity.
Recent years have been challenging for UK rescue centres due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic on pet ownership.
Bath Cats and Dogs Home saw a 12% increase in animal intake in 2022 plus a 122% rise in stray and abandoned cats and dogs needing assistance.
The Home’s veterinary facilities, built in 2000, are now stretched to the limit and fast becoming outdated.
In 2024, the charity will be undertaking an ambitious building project to upgrade their facilities to ensure they can provide the best quality of care for rescue animals and be ready to meet future demand.
Plans include a renovation of the existing recovery space in the vet suite into two separate recovery facilities for cats and dogs, ensuring all animals have a safe space to recover post-medical treatment.
The changes will allow the veterinary team to treat more animals and reduce stress during their recovery with an increase in the number of post-operative cat pods and kennels.
It will improve flexibility in scheduling operations and consultations, lower the need for animals to be transferred off-site to the local veterinary hospital and raise the Home’s capacity to respond to urgent medical cases.
To support the appeal, visit this page.
Rachel Jones, CEO of Bath Cats & Dogs Home said: “Despite the increasing demand for our rescue services our commitment to open intake, looking after the animals that most need our care regardless of behavioural traits or medical conditions, remains undiminished.
“We cannot stand still and with the help of the community we can build a brighter future for all those cats and dogs who need our love and care.
“Please support our appeal to help give rescue animals the veterinary facilities they so urgently need.”
Dan Norris, Metro Mayor for the West of England said: “I know from my recent visit to Bath Cats and Dogs Home just how difficult a time it is for rescue centres up and down the West of England, and across the country.
“The number of animals arriving with urgent concerns for their welfare is higher than it’s ever been. It’s just heartbreaking to think what some of the gorgeous animals like Roly cared for by the Home’s brilliant team have been through.
“I know times are tough for everyone, but I urge those that can in Bath and North East Somerset, and across the West, to get involved in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, and help more rescue animals get the urgent emergency care they need.”
Michaela Taylor, Head Veterinarian at Bath Cats and Dogs Home said: “Every week around fourteen neglected, abandoned or mistreated animals are brought into the Home.
“Often the severity of these animal’s injuries or medical conditions means that our vet staff have to act quickly to alleviate pain and suffering to turn the animals’ lives around.
“An improved vet suite and recovery room would transform the recovery of rescue animals like Roly post operation, enabling us to treat more animals and reduce their stress to help them heal more quickly. Please support our appeal if you can.”
To ensure every donation is doubled, donations must be made via the Big Give website, rather than on the charity’s own website.