New Animal Rescue And Rehoming Centre In South East London

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust has embarked on a project to build a dedicated, and much-needed, rescue and rehoming centre adjacent to its existing veterinary clinic in Lewisham, South East London.

And on Saturday 11 April 2026 the charity will be holding a special Open Day in Lewisham for members of the public to learn more about the project and what it does.

“Please join us at 233-235 Lewisham Way, London, SE4 1UY, on the afternoon of 11 April 2026 for a guided tour of our existing veterinary clinic and learn about our plans for a new animal rescue and rehoming centre in nearby Friendly Street. You will also have the opportunity to meet some of our rescued cats,” Naomi Sheen, Trustee, told That's Pets. 

“Whether you're already a supporter of our charity or are interested in our work, this is a great opportunity to find out more about the Celia Hammond Animal Trust.”

Once operational, Celia Hammond Animal Trust’s new rescue and rehoming centre in Friendly Street will secure the future of the charity’s Lewisham hub for decades to come.

Ziggy and Ridley

The Open Day is a ticketed event with guided tours scheduled throughout the afternoon - admission is free and donations of cat food are welcomed. Tickets can be booked online at https://celiahammondanimaltrust-lewisham.eventbrite.co.uk.

Information on the Celia Hammond Animal Trust Rescue and Rehoming Centre Funding Appeal can be found at https://bit.ly/CHAT-rehoming-centre.

Founded in 1986, Celia Hammond Animal Trust is a UK charity which operates across London and the South East helping stray, abandoned, and unwanted animals, and provides essential low-cost veterinary care to pets belonging to low-income owners.

With veterinary clinics and rescue centres located in Canning Town and Lewisham (London), and an animal sanctuary and rehoming centre in Brede (East Sussex), Celia Hammond Animal Trust seeks homes for rescued animals in London, East and West Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, and Surrey.

• www.celiahammond.org

• @celiahammondanimaltrust

• Registered charity number 293787

East London Charity Vet To Pound The City’s Streets To Raise Funds To Help Animals In Need

Celia Hammond Animal Trust Vet, David Murphy, will be putting his best foot forward on Sunday 26 April 2026 when he takes part in the London Marathon to raise funds to help improve the lives of animals in need.

“Working on the frontline of animal welfare in East London, I regularly treat abandoned, feral, and stray animals, in addition to providing urgent and routine low-cost veterinary care to pets belonging to low-income owners,” David Murphy, Vet at Celia Hammond Animal Trust’s Canning Town branch told That's Pets.

Celia Hammond Animal Trust responds to calls from the public, local authorities, and police, and provides an essential service collecting and treating strays as well as animals from backstreet breeders, multi-cat households, and welfare situations. The charity’s work is only made possible thanks to funding and donations from generous animal lovers.

Over the last 40 years, Celia Hammond Animal Trust has…

neutered over 460,000 cats and dogs, and prevented countless animals from being born into a life of suffering on the streets

administered more than half a million vaccinations

provided nearly half a million low-cost veterinary consultations

performed over 130,000 veterinary surgeries, many of them life-saving

rehomed over 73,500 animals

“I started running at parkrun a couple of years ago and soon discovered that I had no talent for running whatsoever, but I really enjoyed it. The London Marathon is going to be a brutal challenge for me as I’ve never run even close to 26 miles, but I am absolutely committed to completing the distance in order to raise as much money as possible for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust,” said Murphy.

To support David Murphy on his marathon challenge, and help Celia Hammond Animal Trust continue its mission of caring for animals in most need through life-saving surgery, vaccination and neutering clinics, low-cost veterinary consultations, and the rehoming of rescued animals, please donate online at https://gofund.me/4332780b9

celiahammond.org

New pet welfare fund for rescue organisations launching in January

The charity is launching the grant at a time when the animal rescue sector is facing unprecedented challenges.

Animal welfare charity, Naturewatch Foundation, is launching a new Pet Rescue Grant in 2024 to help dogs, cats and rabbits impacted by illegal breeding and selling.

At least £5,000 will be awarded to UK charities and community interest companies (CICs) annually to help support the rescue and rehabilitation of animals who have been exploited by the illicit pet trade.

More than half of UK households own a pet, and its thought as many as 50% of puppies are supplied by illegal sources. Low-welfare breeding has a devasting impact on animal welfare and owners, and the illicit pet trade has increasingly attracted the involvement of organised criminals.

Naturewatch Foundation campaigns for better pet welfare protections and investigates tip-offs from the public about the illegal pet trade. The charity is launching the grant at a time when the animal rescue sector is facing unprecedented challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis and rising abandonments following the boom in pet ownership during the Covid pandemic.

Natalie Harney from the charity said, “As an animal-loving nation, it’s a tragedy that so many of our beloved pets are the product of the illicit pet trade. We’ve been campaigning and investigating to end illegal breeding for years, but we know that without the rescue sector, many abused and exploited pets simply wouldn’t get the loving care and specialist support they deserve. Our new Pet Rescue Grant is our small way of helping those selfless organisations that pick up the pieces.”

Naturewatch Foundation is inviting animal-lovers to get involved by telling them about deserving rescue organisations that could benefit from the grant at action.naturewatch.org/your-favourite-rescue.

Rescue organisations that are interested in applying can visit naturewatch.org/petrescuegrant or email petrescuegrant@naturewatch.org