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The Wainwright Shelter

Animal Rescue Cumbria

If you are interested in volunteering to help our work,  please contact us for details, see contact page. We will be happy to discuss this with you...

The shelter is run by an experienced team of staff skilled in animal care and ably helped by willing volunteers so we can give that extra love and care to our animals while they are with us. Everyone involved with the Wainwright Shelter is dedicated to the animals in its care.

The dogs and cats mainly come from Cumbria for a variety of reasons - abandoned, strays, bereavement, marriage splits, full time work, child allergies etc. Some arrive in a very poor state but most soon thrive with the TLC they receive.

A strict homing policy is adhered to, to ensure that the animals go to caring homes with responsible owners.

All cats are blood tested for FIV (Feline Aids) and FELV (Feline Leukaemia) and vaccinated when they arrive and all adult cats are neutered.

All dogs are vaccinated and most are neutered. Any vet treatment is given and our vet from the Westmorland Veterinary Group in Kendal, visits weekly.

During 2006, 109 dogs and 185 cats were taken into care.

How did Animal Rescue Cumbria begin?

Animal Rescue Cumbria (ARC) was formed in 1972 as a result of the concern felt by a group of ladies in Kendal at the number of stray and unwanted animals being destroyed...

Alfred Wainwright, the guide book author, was asked to lend his support to the organisation. He became Chairman, a post he held until his death in 1991. Under his guidance charitable status was gained in 1974. His wife Betty was as enthusiastic about the cause of animal rescue as he was.

In 1984, after much searching, a suitable property was found which A.W. and Betty thought would make an ideal centre from which the charity could operate. Kapellan was that property and became the permanent base for Animal Rescue Cumbria. It was purchased and adapted, largely due to the generosity of A.W.

Over the years various improvements to the animal housing have been made, a new kennel was built and opened in 1991 just a few months after A.W. died. In 1997 a new cattery complex was completed.