Paws for Reflection

2022 has been a milestone year for our charity as we celebrated our 150th anniversary. The celebrations began in January when we launched our 'Paws for' campaign on social media - each month we showcased a different aspect of our work and the wonderful people who make it all possible. The big blue gates at the entrance to our centre had a makeover, with a fresh lick of paint and were decorated with our special 150th anniversary logo.

Earlier this year, we launched a big 150th anniversary fundraiser, asking 150 people to raise £150 to fund new equipment and materials in order to make our centre even more enriching for the animals in our care. We also had to run special appeals to raise funds for Agnus the French Bulldog, who needed surgery to remove one of her eyes, and Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart, who had been neglected for so long that they both needed extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

One of our Trustees, Joe, spent many months in 2021 researching and writing about the history of our charity, which we published in a book earlier this year! This book became the inspiration for a short film, created by the very talented New Tropic Pictures. The film premiered at our big celebration event 'An Evening With Sir Tony Robinson' in September, which raised vital funds for us. Sir Tony, our Patron, also spent a day with us, working at our animal centre and at one of our charity shops, and met our amazing staff and volunteers.

We also ran our first ever school competition, in partnership with a local author who adopted a dog from us in 2001. Andy Cope set a challenge to primary and secondary school children to write a story based on an animal with super powers! We received some incredible entries, with Ellie from Wyndham Spencer Academy in Alvaston taking first prize for primary schools, and Freya from Derby High School winning for secondary schools.

At the start of December, we launched our Christmas appeal, 'Be their someone... this Christmas'. We have been absolutely blown away by the support we have received, with over £1,500 raised to date!

This year has been challenging, with the cost of living crisis affecting every aspect of our work, so we are incredibly proud that over 600 Abbey Street animals have found their forever homes this year!