Cheltenham Animal Shelter

Rabbit Ranch at Countrytastic
2026-04-02 09:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW, United Kingdom
Thursday 2nd April at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern
This family event is specially designed for children under 11 and is packed with hands-on activities, entertainment and countryside adventures.
Countrytastic offers a fantastic mix of educational and interactive experiences for the whole family. From the lively Muddy Boots Theatre and imaginative play areas to highlights like the Play Farm Shop, Parade Ring, Paw Parade and Animal Antics, there’s something to spark every young explorer’s curiosity.
This year, we are delighted to be returning to Countrytastic with our popular Rabbit Ranch and this time we’re making it even more fun for families to enjoy together.
In recent years, the Three Counties Showground team has taken a progressive approach to how animals are included at their events. Instead of displaying animals in ways that can cause unnecessary stress, they now focus on welfare-led, educational experiences. That’s why organisations like Cheltenham Animal Shelter have been invited to help visitors learn about animals in a way that puts their wellbeing first.
Rabbits are one of the most misunderstood pets in the UK, and many owners don’t realise the level of care they need to live happy, healthy lives. At the Rabbit Ranch, our activities will focus on the five welfare needs of rabbits: behaviour, diet, companionship, housing and health.
Our friendly team will guide families through a series of interactive zones, each designed to make learning about rabbit care fun and memorable.
Companionship Zone
Rabbits are highly social animals and thrive when living with a companion. In this area, children can create their own bunny masks and complete activity sheets that explain why rabbits should live in pairs or bonded groups.
We’ll also be bringing along a couple of pairs of our rescued rabbits, who will be relaxing in a spacious, enriched pen filled with tunnels, hides and toys. A perfect example of a happy rabbit environment.
Behaviour Zone
Get creative and make a fun enrichment toy for your own rabbit or for one of the rabbits currently in our care at the Shelter. We’ll also share simple ideas for making toys at home and explain how enrichment helps rabbits express their natural behaviours.
Health Care Zone
Children can take part in a hands-on activity to learn how to check if a rabbit is healthy. Discover the basics of safe handling, weighing, vaccinations and why microchipping is so important for pet safety.
Housing Zone
See the difference between a typical pet-shop hutch and the minimum space recommended as the National Guidelines. Visitors can also join a fun activity to see how many hops a rabbit needs to move around comfortably.
Diet Zone
Learn which foods rabbits should and shouldn’t eat. Children can colour in different foods and decide whether to “feed” them to a happy rabbit or a sad rabbit depending on whether the food is healthy or unhealthy.
Don’t miss out — book your tickets today at: www.countrytastic.co.uk

Animal Days
2026-03-30 09:00 - 2026-04-10 16:00 UTC | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Various dates during school holidays
A unique opportunity for young people aged 5-16 years old to attend the Shelter during the school holidays to meet our animals and learn about responsible pet ownership in a fun, relaxed environment.
We are hosting our usual sessions for children of all ages (5 to 16), and a separate session aimed at children aged 12-16.

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Understanding dog reactivity
2026-03-21 10:00 - 12:30 UTC | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Saturday 21st March – 10am to 12:30pm
Come and join us for a canine behaviour talk at Cheltenham Animal Shelter.
This workshop is aimed at those who want to learn more about the motivations behind dog reactivity and ways to work around it. The workshop will mainly be focused on dog-to-dog reactivity with hints and tips on how to manage this behaviour through practical and theory-based teaching brought to you by our behaviour team.
You will learn topics such as reactivity body language, trigger stacking, the motivations behind your dog reacting to other dogs – and so much more!
You will also learn different ways to focus your dog with mentally stimulating games such as find it, counter conditioning, and name conditioning.
This workshop will run for 2.5 hours (with refreshments provided!) and you will leave with an information pack which will include a special offer on one-to-one consultations with our behaviourists if you would like further help and support for your dog(s).
“The talk was so relevant, and I left with a much better understanding of how and why my dog behaves as she does and that I can make some changes to improve how she behaves and focus on making her feel more settled and content (reggae music for dogs has been so useful!!) Thank you!!”

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**Please note that unfortunately you are not permitted to bring your own dog(s) to this workshop**

Festive dog walk
2025-12-13 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/London) | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Saturday 13th December9:45 for 10am start – walk approx 90 mins

Get into the holiday spirit with our Festive Group Dog Walk, a cheerful seasonal stroll to raise funds for the animals in our care!
Starting at Cheltenham Animal Shelter, we’ll take a merry circular walk through Pittville Park, dressed in our finest Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, and festive outfits – dogs included!
This heartwarming event is a great way to support the Shelter while enjoying a feel-good, social outing with fellow dog lovers. Expect wagging tails, jingling bells, and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
Festive attire encouraged – the more sparkle, the better!
The best outfit worn by owners and dogs will be judged on the day for the chance to win a goodie bag.
The walk starts and ends in the Shelter car park where refreshments will be available on your return.
Humans are £5.00 each, dogs go free!

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Halloween dog walk
2025-11-01 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Saturday 1st November9:45 for 10am start – walk approx 90 mins

Join us once again for our fun and frightfully festive Halloween-themed group dog walk!
Starting at Cheltenham Animal Shelter, we’ll take a scenic circular stroll through Pittville Park, all dressed in our best spooky costumes – dogs and humans alike!
This light-hearted event is all about raising vital funds for the animals in our care, while also offering a fun, social experience for local dog owners.
Whether you’re a returning ghost or a first-time ghoul, it’s the paw-fect way to enjoy the autumn air, meet fellow dog lovers, and support a great cause.
Costumes encouraged. Wagging tails guaranteed!
The best outfit worn by owners and dogs will be judged on the day for the chance to win a goodie bag.
The walk starts and ends in the Shelter car park where refreshments will be available on your return.
Humans are £5.00 each, dogs go free!

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Halloween Crafts at the Shelter
2025-10-31 09:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Our Halloween Craft Sessions are an hour of spooky fun for the whole family to enjoy.
The hour-long sessions include a selection of crafts to choose to complete, warm drinks, and ending with a tour of Cheltenham Animal Shelter. Each £15 ticket will book out a table for an hour (each table caters for a maximum of 4 children and 2 adults, no minimum. No ages restrictions apply however, recommended for children 2+)
Crafts will be demonstrated by the Education team, with a selection of crafts to choose from including rabbit/guinea pig ghost lollypops , cat Halloween themed pom-poms, pumpkin dog biscuits, and a keepsake. You can choose to take your creations home for your own pets or even better why not donate them as a gift to a shelter resident!
* Whilst you are welcome to dress up for the session, we do ask that any fancy dress items can easily be removed and request no face paint is worn. Our animal residents may find this quite scary and they would like a treat not a trick!*
* Please note the £15 entry fee is per table not per head*

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Dog shows at The Big Bark
2025-10-18 10:00 - 2025-10-19 16:00 (Europe/London) | Cirencester Park, Cirencester Park, Cirencester, GL7 1UR, United Kingdom
Dog shows at The Big Bark – Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October in Cirencester Park from 10am to 5pm each day.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be hosting our ever-popular Fun Dog Show throughout both days so come along and show off your pooch in a variety of light-hearted, tail-wagging competitions. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate your four-legged friend while supporting a great cause.
What Else to Expect at The Big Bark:

Have-a-Go Arenas – Let your dog try new tricks, games, and training challenges.
Live Demonstrations – See top trainers, agility champions, and working dogs in action.
Pet-Lover’s Market – Browse a wide range of stalls for toys, treats, accessories, and more.
Delicious Street Food & Doggy Café – Refuel with great food and don’t forget a Puppachino for your furry companion!
Expert Advice – Speak to canine nutritionists, behaviourists, and wellbeing professionals.

With free parking, flat access, and plenty of open space, it’s the perfect weekend outing for dog lovers of all ages.
Tickets & Info: www.bathurstestate.co.uk/events/the-big-bark/
Avoid the queues on the day and pre-register your dog for the show on Saturday, Sunday or both! Classes £2 each.

PRE-REGISTER FOR THE DOG SHOW

PRE-REGISTER FOR THE DOG SHOW

Please note that The Big Bark is a ticketed event and you will need an entry ticket for your chosen day(s) to access the dog shows. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the day.

Sandford Parks Lido dog swim
2025-10-11 08:00 - 2025-10-12 17:00 (Europe/London) | Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU, United Kingdom
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th OctoberSandford Parks Lido
Sandford Lido in Cheltenham is hosting its annual Dog Swim on 11th and 12th October. Splash and paddle with your furry friends in this fun and popular event for dog lovers.
Tickets start at just £16 and from 24th July you can visit the Sandford Park Lido website to secure your spot.
Don’t miss out on the excitement even if you don’t have a dog as spectator tickets will also be available for those who want to watch the action.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be once again attending the event with their games to help raise funds for animals in need, plus shop their range of must-have items for both the dog swim and your home.

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Please ensure that you are ready and prepared to enter the water if your dog cannot swim without aid. There must be one person aged 16 or above per dog. The dog’s welfare remains the responsibility of the owner, by purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to these responsibilities.

Scent Games 1-2-1 Workshops
2025-08-13 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Are you looking for a fun way to bond and spend time with your dog? Come and join us for one of our Scent Games workshops!
Hosted by our Canine Behavioural experts, our scent games session will really get your dog’s brain working by using their most important sense – smell!
Incorporating ‘Find it;’ games and enriching nose work, as well as fun activities that you and all the family can do at home, this session can help to make your dog feel more relaxed and content as a result.
So what do scent games help with?

Calming – scenting helps to calm a dog.
Mental Stimulation – scenting and searching for food tires a dog’s brain.
To refocus a behaviour – if the dog is about to engage in something we don’t want to occur – scent games are a great refocusing tool that teaches the dog a more positive behaviour to display.
Confidence – an easy to learn training tool!

The workshop is a 1-2-1 session for you and your dog to attend and each session will run for 45 minutes; however, you can arrive 5 minutes prior to your ticket time to help settle your dog into their new environment.
This workshop is suitable for dogs of all ages from 6 months upwards. In order to get the most out of the session and ensure this is an enjoyable experience for your dog, we recommend that dogs attending are motivated by food and will be comfortable meeting our behaviourists.

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Mini Tabletop Sale & Pet Care Advice
2025-05-30 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | School House Cafe, St Pauls Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4EZ, United Kingdom
Friday 30th May from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at School House Café, St. Paul’s Road, Cheltenham.
Looking for a bargain while supporting a great cause? Don’t miss the Cheltenham Animal Shelter’s Mini Tabletop Sale and Pet Care Advice Drop-In at the School House Cafe.
We’ll have a variety of pre-loved goods for sale, including pet accessories, bric-a-brac, children’s toys, books, puzzles, and games—all at great prices!
Plus, our friendly team, including our qualified behaviour experts, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your pet’s care. Whether you’re a current pet owner or considering adopting one, this is the perfect opportunity to get advice from our experienced team.
It’s a relaxed and fun way to pick up some bargains, chat with our pet care experts, and support Cheltenham Animal Shelter at the same time.
Don’t forget to bring your questions and your shopping bag!

For the love of animals
2025-02-08 09:00 - 2025-02-09 16:00 (Europe/London) | Winchcombe Street Charity Shop, 25 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Join us for a weekend-long 50% off everything sale to celebrate our love of animals in the run up to Valentines Day and check out our extended floor space at our new charity shop at 25 Winchcombe Street.
We will be launching the event with cakes, drinks, balloons and dogs on Saturday 8th February from 11am.
Our charity shops provide a vital source of income to support our work with rescue pets.
Shop opening times and items we accept as donations can be found here.

Animal Days Christmas Crafts
2024-12-14 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Saturday 14th December – 10am, 12pm or 1:30pm
Our Christmas Craft Session is an hour of festive fun for the whole family to enjoy. The session includes a selection of crafts, warm drinks, and a tour of Cheltenham Animal Shelter.
Tickets are £15 and each ticket reserves a table for an hour – each table caters for a maximum of 4 children and 2 adults. There is no minimum group size and no age restrictions apply however, recommended for children aged 2+.
Crafts will be demonstrated by the Education team, including Christmas pom-poms cat tree, rabbit baubles, dog biscuits, colouring, and a keepsake to take away. You can choose to take your creations home for your own pets or even better why not donate them as a gift to a shelter resident and make their Christmas brighter!

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Children's cat drawing workshop
2024-11-01 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
Friday 1st November 2024Session one – 9am to 12pmSession two – 1pm to 4pm
A session for art and animal lovers aged 8 to 14! The session starts with a tour of Cheltenham Animal Shelter. Attendees will then spend the session with Primary School Teacher and Artist Sophie, drawing one of the resident cats together in pastels.
The children will spend some time experimenting with materials before focusing on techniques and tips to draw eyes, noses and fur. At the end of the session, we will have all drawn a realistic cat in pastel pencils!

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Sandford Parks Lido dog swim
2024-10-19 08:00 - 2024-10-20 17:00 UTC | Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU, United Kingdom
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th OctoberSandford Parks Lido
Bring your four-legged friend along to the lido for their annual dog swim! A fun weekend and family-friendly, for those dogs who make a big splash and those who wander gently into the water this is not one to miss if you are a dog lover.

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Please ensure that you are ready and prepared to enter the water if your dog cannot swim without aid. There must be one person aged 16 or above per dog. The dog’s welfare remains the responsibility of the owner, by purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to these responsibilities.

Charlton Kings Autumn Fayre
2024-09-21 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | grange field, Grange Field, Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire, GL53 8AR, United Kingdom
We will be hosting a Fun Dog Show at The Grange Field (by Kings Hall) in Charlton Kings on Saturday 21st September giving your canine companion the opportunity to put their best paw forward for the chance to win a goody bag in one of our five classes.

Registration opens at 1pm and the last class enters the ring at 2:50pm. £2 per class to enter and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a rosette and goodie bag. The full class schedule can be seen on our website at www.gawa.org.uk/events-calendar

The annual Autumn Fayre is undergoing an exciting transformation this year! In addition to the usual array of FREE activities for kids and families, as well as local businesses, charities, and community group stalls, the Autumn Fayre is becoming Charlton Kings’ very own Food and Drink Festival!

Stroll through a delightful array of stalls showcasing handmade crafts, artisanal products, local charities and delectable treats from our talented regional vendors. Live music sets the perfect ambiance as you explore the variety of offerings. Don’t miss out on the chance to meet your local councillors, who are eager to connect with the community and listen to your valuable feedback.

Free games and activities abound for all ages! Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or prefer nature pursuits, there’s something for everyone (and for FREE): friendly football penalty competition, face painting, circus and drumming workshops, vintage games and more!

Mark your calendar and bring your friends and family to this unmissable event!

NCLB Party in the Park
2024-08-02 11:00 - 17:00 UTC | Pittville Park
11am-5pm on Friday 2nd August in Pittville Park
This Summer brings along No Child Left Behind’s (NCLB) fantastic & FREE ‘Party in the Park‘ family event and the Shelter is excited to be a part of this year’s festivities!
The day will be themed around the Paris Olympics 2024 and will include a diverse range of free opportunities for children including sports, circus skills, live music, inflatables and lots more!
Taking place 11am-5pm on Friday 2nd August, the event is hosted in Pittville Park and will be welcoming organisations and activities including Cheltenham Town FC, Cheltenham Tigers, Therapy ponies, Gloucestershire libraries, Fun science, Cheerleading and so much more… a fantastic community event for the whole family to enjoy.
Our Education Team will be attending, heading up a pet education zone where you can get free pet advice and support as well as the opportunity to make some fun activities and enrichment toy items for your pets at home.

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Daily tours of Cheltenham Animal Shelter
2024-02-16 - 2025-02-16
Visit us – book your Shelter tour
Our visitors are important to us and so we have introduced free guided visitor tours of the Shelter.
During the Covid pandemic, we found that the animals in our care benefitted greatly from the calm, quiet environment with fewer visitors around throughout the day. Our Shelter tours enable animal lovers to visit our site, see our animals and gain more understanding about the work we do.
Although you will need to book your place on a tour, all places are free. Each tour will last about 30 minutes, although you should allow a little extra time for your visit. Car parking is available.

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Please note: Due to the nature of our site, disabled access is limited in some areas. If you have special access requirements, please email reception@gawa.org.uk to confirm the suitability of the tours before booking.

Booking terms

Tours must be booked by midnight the day before.
Bookings cannot be made on the day.
All general visitors must book to be on a tour, and children should be accompanied by an adult.
No owners’ dogs or other pets are allowed on the tour.
There are no refreshment facilities on-site.

If you need assistance with your booking, please call us on 01242 548775

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