Kennels of the Future
We rescue dogs suffering from severe cruelty and neglect – and that happens more often than you might think. Abused and abandoned, they have never known life in a loving, family home.
Many of these dogs have complex health and behavioural issues as a result. They require specialist rehabilitation and may have ongoing medical and training needs – unfortunately, this can sometimes put off potential adopters.
Our inspectors come across many dog breeds, meaning we often take in bullbreeds, lurchers, and other larger sized dogs – which, sadly, are less popular and harder to rehome. It can take up to seven times longer for some larger dogs to find a new home than for smaller dogs, which means they spend a lot more time with us in our kennels.
But dogs can find kennel life incredibly stressful. Some will suffer prolonged mental distress and develop behavioural issues the longer they stay in a kennel environment. Unless, of course, that environment is designed for them to thrive.
The kennels at RSPCA Millbrook were built over 30 years ago, with a layout now too small for the larger dogs in our care. To meet the highest welfare standards and give dogs the space and support they need, we must take action – and for that, we need you. Now is the time to invest in transforming our kennel space, and therefore invest in better lives for all species of dogs.
As they say, every dog has its day. Until then, with your help, they can have a better place to stay.
The purpose and the plan
Kennels of the Future is our national plan to transform the 11 kennels at our centres across England and Wales, with a modern and innovative design – and our approach to dog welfare – in order to achieve four key objectives:
- 1 Enhance welfare
- 2 Increase operating capacity
- 3 Accelerate rehabilitation
- 4 Reduce costs
RSPCA Millbrook will be one of the first kennels to be rebuilt in 2027, helping our Millbrook team support and rehome over 200 dogs each year, and stand as an example for future building work at our other centres.
We're committed to delivering outstanding behavioural and medical support, as well as consistent welfare standards to every dog in our care, helping them experience the happy, healthy and safe lives they truly deserve.
To do this, we’ve used the latest scientific research to determine the optimum size and shape of our kennels to accommodate larger animals in a comfortable, flexible and sustainable environment. This new design provides dogs in our care with more choice and control of their surroundings, which will reduce their stress levels and increase their chances of being rehomed.
The new kennels will provide our staff with flexible feeding, laundry and wash down facilities – needed to support effective infection and outbreak management. They’ll also be environmentally friendly, as part of our wider decarbonisation commitment across all RSPCA sites.
These new facilities will allow us to give them more of our attention with enriching activities – they’re a real investment in dogs, and in our mission to constantly improve animal welfare.
What the donations will do
- Improve the quality of life for the dogs, with a fear-free colour palette, enrichment space and external runs in each kennel.
- Provide staff with environmentally friendly facilities to support effective infection and outbreak management, which are also part of our wider decarbonisation commitment across all RSPCA sites.
- Reduce stress in the dogs, with a reactive dog management layout that prevents a line of sight to other dogs in the kennel block.
242
Dogs came to Millbrook in 2024 (24% more than 2023)*
100
Time nearly half of the dogs spent in our care*
12%
Of all dogs in our care are at Millbrook*
*RSPCA reports and accounts 2024
Space to heal and feel safe
Found crouched on a filthy mattress, Poppy and her brother were rescued from an abandoned flat by one of our officers.
Weak, frightened and trapped inside with no access to food or water, we reached them just in time.
Both dogs were underweight and suffering from a painful, itchy skin disease, whilst Poppy also had a nasty eye infection. Despite being subdued, they both wagged their tails every time they were stroked or a member of our team showed them any kindness or compassion.
It was one of the saddest sights I’ve seen in 15 years.
But Poppy’s ordeal took more than a physical toll on her. The outside world was an unfamiliar and scary place in her eyes, which ultimately slowed down her emotional recovery.
Today, however, she is joyfully unrecognisable – and in the care of loving new owners, where she’s cherished and adored.
Unfortunately, Poppy’s story is not unique. We’re seeing more dogs like her, victims of extreme cruelty and neglect, in need of long-term safety, care and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, Poppy’s story is not unique. We’re seeing more dogs like her, victims of extreme cruelty and neglect, in need of long-term safety, care and rehabilitation.
Our new kennel programme will transform and accelerate the recovery experience for dogs like Poppy in our centres, helping our incredible teams provide the highest standard of animal welfare now, and into the future.
Get in touch
If you would like to learn more about the Kennels of the Future, Millbrook Animal Centre or how you can transform animals' lives, please get in touch with us at philanthropy@rspca.org.uk
