About us
Bath Cats & Dogs Home rehabilitates and rehomes unwanted, abandoned and neglected cats and dogs.
We believe that every cat and dog should have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy life and a happy home.
- We protect pets in our community by providing pet care advice, financial support for veterinary emergency treatment and providing pet food to local food banks.
- With dedicated rehabilitation team and facilities, we give priority to the most vulnerable – the neglected, the abused and the abandoned.
- And once they are strong enough, we find them a new home – thanks to our amazing adopters. By adopting through us you will transform the life of a cat or dog in desperate need of care.
We are a proud partner of the RSPCA. Bath Cats and Dogs Home is one of the largest local charities in the RSPCA’s network. We deliver animal welfare on the ground in our communities, backed up by the knowledge, support and influence of the RSPCA.
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Rescue - where our animals come from, and why
Bath Cats & Dogs Home take in and care for approximately 700 animals every year.
On average each year, half of our animals come in directly from the public, often due to a tragic change of circumstance such as illness or a death, or they are struggling with behaviour or finances.
In 2026 so far*, 100 animals have come in from RSPCA Inspectors, having experienced cruelty and neglect, or due to concerns for their welfare.
In 2026 so far*, 175 dogs have been brought to us by Dog Wardens – we reunite those that have simply strayed with their lawful owners, but the majority (%) have been abandoned.
* Mid-year statistics from January - July 2026.
» Read more on intake sources, intake reasons and stray claim rates in Our Impact.
Rehabilitate – the costs
Every cat or dog gets both a medical and behavioural assessment that informs their rehabilitation plan.
- It takes around two months on average to rehabilitate and rehome a cat, and over three months for a dog.1
- The cost of that care is over £1,000 per cat and nearly £4,000 per dog.2
- We get to know every cat and dog in our care as individuals, taking notes and tips which we pass on to their adopters so that they know how to help their new pet settle in.
We work together to bring an animal through rehabilitation to a place where they can be adopted.
1 Length of stay calculated for animals that were rehomed between January 2025 and April 2026.
2 Length of stay multiplied by costs calculated per kennel or pod (£276pw for dogs, £131pw for cats).
Rehome – our service
Having served the community since 1939, we estimate that we have rehomed around 20,000 animals over our history, growing from a small operation taking in pets from bombed houses during World War 2, to today – a modern rehoming centre with an average of 500 adoptions each year.
- Every animal adopted through us is vaccinated, neutered (if appropriate) and microchipped.
- You’re safe in the knowledge that your new cat or dog has had a fully medical and behavioural assessment and that you have all the knowledge to help them thrive.
- By adopting through us you will transform the life of a cat or dog in desperate need of care.
Bath Cats & Dogs Home history
In 1939, an amalgamation of animal rescue groups in Bath opened the centre in Claverton Down. In 1949, John Hobhouse became chairman and fought for many modern welfare ideals – firstly for our branch independently and then across the national RSPCA.
In August 2026, RSPCA Bath and District Branch (205594) and RSPCA North Somerset Branch (205284) merged to form RSPCA Bath and North Somerset Branch CIO (1217092), whilst retaining their local public identities – Bath Cats & Dogs Home and Brent Knoll Animal Centre respectively.
Between us, we serve a 580 square mile area across Bath, North Somerset and parts of Wiltshire including Frome, Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Nailsea, Woolavington, Wells and Weston-super-Mare.
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