History of RSPCA Woodside
Background
The RSPCA was the world’s first animal welfare organisation to be established.
In 1824 a number of distinguished people met together and as a result the society whose sole purpose was to prevent cruelty and promote kindness to animals was born. In 1840 Queen Victoria gave the society its Royal status and the RSPCA was well on its way to becoming a British Institution.
In 1881 a branch was established in Leicester, where the first premises were located in the New Walk area of the city, and later moved to a larger site on Welford Road. Due to the growing demand and in order to combine the cattery and kennels, which were on separate sites, the branch moved to its present home at Scudamore Road in 1975.
The 6 acre site has developed over the years from humble beginnings with temporary buildings and sheds acting as animal accommodation to the permanent structures you see today.
Around 2012 the trustees conceived a dream to build a bespoke vet centre on the site and started planning. After many years of fundraising and finally a very generous gift left to Woodside in a will work was able to be started to build the new facility in 2021. Finally opening in 2022 the newly kitted out vet centre featured an Xray room, operating room with 2 operating tables, pre-op room separate dental room and consult room. This ensures that the animals on Woodside no longer have to wait to see a visiting vet or be loaded into a van for more urgent attention.
RSPCA Woodside is going from strength to strength and will continue to grow and develop but will always have the care and welfare of animals at the centre of everything that we do.
Woodside time line from 1975
1975
Site moved to new site at Scudamore Road
1976 – 1991
The site develops with sheds and temporary buildings
1992
New Puppy block opens
1994
Charity shops increases to 3
1995
Building work starts including the cattery
1996
Murlands kennel block building started
1997
Murlands kennels opens in April
Paw print logo is used for the first time
1998
Pet Rescue TV show is filmed at Woodside
2000
Building starts on two new kennel blocks plus office and staff facilities
2001
Grand opening of Mercury & Millenium kennels now know as Red and Blue block
2002
Dog exercise area built, and Woodside introduced it’s first dog training classes
2005
A roof is installed over the dog exercise area and becomes the covered area between Blue block and the cattery
2006
Rabbit and ferret accommodation becomes available and new exercise fields are created behind Murlands block
2007
The car park is created.
A new charity shop in Wigston is opened in November
2008
Planning permission granted to extend the shop, reception area and offices
2009
Shop work completed
2010
Building work starts on the new Jubilee kennel block
2011
Jubilee block completed
2012
Jubilee block officially opened with a surrounding garden supplied by Mars Pet care
2013
Planning starts to create a veterinary centre
2017
Centre restructure
2019
RSPCA Leicestershire registers with the charity commission to become an incorporated Trustee body
2021
Work starts demolish the puppy block and start building the puppy block
2022
Vet centre sees its first patients and RSPCA Leicestershire merges with Peterborough & District branch.
Coalville shop closes and is replaced by a new shop in Hinckley
2023
30th June Vet centre is officially opened by TV vet Scott Miller
2024
New shop in Blaby is opened bringing the total to 7 shops
2024
In 2024 RSPCA Logo changes in line with the National charity new brand image
Opening Hours
Centre Open for General Animal Viewing
We are open to the public to have a look around on Thursdays, Saturday and Sundays from 11:00 to 15:00
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Pet Shop and Reception
Open 7 Days a week
Monday - Friday: 08:30 to 16:30
Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 to 16:00
If you are interested in adopting an animal in our care, please go to the animal profile pages and complete the contact forms. Our team will then contact you to discuss the current adoption process.
Contact Us
Post:
Woodside Animal Centre
190 Scudamore Road,
Leicester
LE3 1UQ
Phone:
General Enquiries: 0116 233 6677
Woodside Pet Shop: 0116 233 6677
RSPCA Cruelty Line: 0300 1234 999
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