Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Shirley
Meet Shirley, one of our wonderful dog walking volunteers.
Dogs, Volunteering
From stray to supermum: Winnie's story
When Winnie arrived at Bath Cats & Dogs Home as a stray in early April, she was a sweet, gentle cocker spaniel with no known history. Within a week, it became clear she was pregnant.
Moved to the puppy block, Winnie quickly settled in. As her due date approached, she began nesting, carefully lining up her toys in her birthing box - an early glimpse of the devoted mum she was about to become.
On 20 May, Winnie gave birth to eight healthy puppies: five girls and three boys, all named after her favourite toys - Piggy, Bunny, Squid, Mouse, Bug, Toucan, Squirrel and Penguin.
Growing up in foster care
In early June, Winnie and her puppies moved into a foster home, where the pups could grow and thrive in a home environment. Winnie was a calm, attentive mum, giving her puppies confidence while keeping a watchful eye on them.
Thanks to foster care and lots of love, the puppies grew into well-rounded, happy characters. By the end of July, all eight puppies had found their forever homes over just a couple of days.
A few weeks later, it was Winnie's turn to be adopted.
Happy endings all round
Winnie’s adopters say she has settled in beautifully, as if she’s always been part of the family. She loves exploring new places, adores her toys, and has even discovered a love of swimming.
Updates from the puppies’ adopters show just how far they’ve all come - from confident family dogs to a future Teaching Dog at Bristol Vet School. Many of the families, along with Winnie's foster carer and new owner, are still in touch, sharing photos and milestones as the puppies grow.
Understanding and support
Like many dogs who have been bred from, Winnie can sometimes guard items she values. Our behaviour team worked with her using a positive “swap” technique, helping her feel safe and understood. This guidance was shared with her adopters, giving Winnie the best chance to thrive in her new home.
Could you help the next Winnie?
Winnie and her puppies were able to flourish thanks to the care of our team and the kindness of a foster home that opened its doors at just the right moment.
If you’ve ever considered fostering, stories like Winnie's show the incredible impact it can have. You don’t just give a dog a place to stay - you give them space to grow, recover, and begin their next chapter.
