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A brief history

1937
• Three local animal charities unite to become RSPCA Bath Branch.

• Bath resident Mrs Bayntun gifts five acres of land and £4,000 (equivalent to nearly £200,000 now) enabling the new charity to set up a dog shelter.


1948
• John and Mary Hobhouse join the Bath Branch committee.


1953
• John Hobhouse becomes chairman of the Bath Branch (until 2000).

• After considerable arguments, the City Council concede that stray dogs can go to the kennels for re-homing rather than being destroyed.

• The Bath Branch is the first RSPCA branch to implement a strict non-destruction policy.


1955
• John Hobhouse is elected to the RSPCA National Council.
 

1960
• John’s five-year battle to form and chair a ‘Homeless Animals Committee’ is finally realised.

 

1962
• The Homeless Animals Committee persuade the RSPCA Council to spend £100,000 to build or rebuild an animal centre in each major city. Within a year these new kennels were saving the lives of 10,000 dogs that would otherwise have been destroyed.
 

1969 – 1975
• John Hobhouse elected as chairman of the RSPCA National Council.
 

1986
• The Friends of Claverton is formed. A separate registered charity, the Friends raise funds through membership and legacies. www.friendsofclaverton.org

1995
• After three generous legacy donations totaling £500,000 the Home plan a redevelopment of the dilapidated 50 year old buildings with modern facilities.
 

2001
John is elected Bath & District President
 

2002
• The first two stages of redevelopment are completed, including four kennel blocks and runs, a cattery, vet suite, administration offices, visitor facilities and a new sewerage system. The cost of £2.2 million had been raised solely by donation and fundraising.
 

2006
• The third stage of development is completed, with two circular kennels. The cost was paid for by the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Claverton.
 

2009
• John Hobhouse dies peacefully in Frome Hospital, Somerset, on Thursday 24 December, aged 99.

2010
• New website is launched in April and the Frome charity shop has a makeover. A new area for the growing behaviourist team starts to be built.


2011
• Our 100,000 animal is re-homed.

• C block kennels are transformed into a sanctuary area for long-stay dogs to help reduce their stress. 

 

2012
• This year is our 75th anniversary.

• A and B block kennels are improved - double kennels are created for pairs of dogs, double-space runs and solid walls between blocks which help reduce stress and spreading of diseases such as kennel cough.