By Niamh Spencer
RSPCA teams in the area are hoping to use the collective charitable spirit of the season to help fund their mission to rehabilitate and rehome victims of animal cruelty in and around Leicester.
The Woodside animal centre in Scudamore Road, Leicester, is the charity’s Leicestershire, Peterborough, and Rutland branch, where charity and fundraising director Natalie Martin is busy organising their annual Christmas event.
“It will be fun for all the family, especially the pets,” said Natalie.
The Christmas-themed market will be held at the centre from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, November 25, and Sunday 26.
It will feature stalls staffed by volunteers and small businesses selling seasonal goodies such as fudge and others aimed at our furry friends such as bandanas and personalised dog bowls.
A brass band will also be playing, and a DJ will be joining on the Sunday to widen the types of music that will be on offer.
Back by popular demand, Santa Paws and his elves will be there to make sure visitors’ pets get a gift they want this season.
He will be available for photos on his lap no matter the size or temperament of people’s dogs.
“He thrives when he’s around animals,” Natalie said about the centre’s Santa.
This fundraiser is part of a year-wide effort to raise funds for the centre as it takes a huge £20,000 a week to fund their mission to help pets find their forever homes.
Natalie added: “The satisfaction you get to see animals find forever homes is unmatched.”
She said their mission this year has become so much harder as they have seen a huge influx of animals being brought in due to the cost-of-living crisis and centres all over the country are full to the max and have extensive waiting lists for pets needing to be rehomed.
Cases of workers with compassion fatigue are increasing as well.
