Success Stories

We have many success stories at Derby RSPCA.  We often receive letters from people who have adopted one of our animals and are full of joy at how well and happy their pet is in it's loving new home.   We hope to put some of these stories on our new website shortly. 

If you have adopted a pet from us and would like to share your story with other people, please send the details along with a photograph (landscape rather than portrait if possible) to info@rspcaderby.org.uk and mark it  "For Attention of the Website Editor:Animal Success Story"

Ron & Rupert (prev. Rod & Stewart) - February 2013

Ron & Rupert, who were known as Rod & Stewart while they were with us, were adopted from us in February 2013. They have settled in well at their new home and their owner has told us how lovely they are. They seem to be very happy, if this picture is any indication!

Bess (previously Cassie)

We received a lovely email early this year, about a dog adopted from us many years ago: "Having read your feature in Derbyshire Life & Countryside Magazine we thought we would like you know that we adopted a gorgeous 12 week old Collie cross puppy called Cassie from you 13 and a half years ago. We changed her name to Bess (Bessie) as we thought it suited her better.

She was the most lovable, cute dog, was obedient right from the start and got on really well with our 6 cats! She was particularly fond of Merlin (a kitten we had at the same time). She gave us so much love, fun and pleasure and we loved her just as much. Bess was well travelled and lived in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Devon (twice!). Sadly, Bess developed diabetes at 12 and shortly after her 13th birthday we had to put her to sleep following failing health caused by the diabetes.

We miss her very much and for now don't feel able to have another dog. We just want to record our thanks for bringing her into our lives. We think you do a wonderful job and wish you the very best for your 140 year celebrations."

Freddie - May 2012

Freddie's new owners sent us this message the day after they had taken him home: "I can't remember when I had a better night than last night at home with my husband Ian and Freddie our new family member. He immediately jumped on our knees alternately and head butted us both...that is some head butt - Freddie is a HUGE pussycat! He slept in our bed last night and jumped on me at one point which was really funny as he is so large he makes quite an impact!! He is so gorgeous and really cute because despite his size he has teeny squeak noise when he approaches, and the quietest purr.

I attach a photo of him being groomed by Ian, which he loved. My 18 year old and 15 year old step-kids have just arrived and been stroking him - he is running from lap to lap trying out, to see who has the best techniques!

Thank you to all at the Centre who have allowed us to adopt our dream cat, we adore him already and will keep him safe and loved from hereon in."

Snaffles (previously Rufus) - June 2012

"I adopted Rufus (renamed Snaffles) off you on the 1st June 2012, and thought I'd let you know how he is doing. At first he had the whole kitchen to run around, within a week he had the whole of the downstairs - which he loves! He loves being around me and my partner, and he loves sniffing feet.

If he wants attention, he will let you know usually by nibbling and scratching at your shoes. He likes to be stroked but isn't so keen on being picked up! Getting him in his cage for bedtime is a nightmare, at 33 weeks pregnant he runs rings around me! Since moving him into the whole house he tends to run like mad from one room to another, kicking his back legs and jumping. He then likes nothing more than to have a rest in front of the TV. His favourite things are eating dandelions, snoozing and being the centre of attention. He is such a character, and just shows you how much love and trust animals can have, even after such awful situations."

Molly (previously Mummy) - July 2012

"Molly's adopters sent us this message earlier in the year: "We adopted Molly, previously Mummy, on July 1st. We came to the RSPCA to adopt a cat as we'd recently had to have our cat Ginger put to sleep after 18 years and we were looking for a cat to fill the gap in our household.

Molly has settled in very well, thinks she rules the roost - will only eat Whiskas!! - but is a lovely addition to the family. She loves to play with her numerous cat toys and is just starting to go out and explore our large garden. We would advise anybody to rehome a cat (or dog) from the RSPCA as they do a wonderful job."

Roy - May 2012

Roy the rabbit was adopted from us earlier this year, and from the looks of it, he has made himself a new friend!

"Roy has settled in impressively and very well! He's a very confident little chap! At first I thought he might be shy. But no. As soon as he arrived he staked his claim on the top/back of the sofa to sit with us and so sweetly rest his paws on my shoulder, where it seems as though he's listening to conversations or watching tv." 

Rapunzel & Cinderella - December 2012

Rapunzel & Cinderella, now Pumpkin & Cinders, are sisters who were adopted from us at the start of December 2012. They were with us for quite some time before they were adopted, and so it's lovely to know that they have settled down with owners who will care for them for the rest of their lives.  

Their new owners have told us how they are getting on: "Pumpkin is the most curious of the two whilst Cinders was a little timid to start with. They have settled in now and have found their voices at dinner times! They like to run up our curtains and watch our indoor fishtank. They have a cosy basket and like to snuggle up together and clean each other. Both now have matching blingy collars! They are lovely personable cats who just needed a warm, loving home. Thank you for letting us have them."

Willow and Mulberry - Adopted June 2012

We recently adopted Mindy and Monica now named Willow (kitten) and Mulberry (mommy) on Saturday, just to let you all know they have settled in really well.  Mulberry has overcome her shyness and loves to be fussed.  So happy we adopted both of them,  Willow has already become very independent and playful.  They have given the family so much enjoyment as they are so cute together which has lead to them being VERY spoilt. Thank you to Andrea, Matt & Karen who made us very welcome and gave us lots of support on our visit, and with the adoption procedure.  All the staff at Derby RSPCA do fantastic work which was visible to see on our visit.
Many thanks again, best wishes to you all, Kate & Mae

Tasha - Adopted 1997

I was just writing to say that in 1997 we rescued a dog (collie x jrt) from you called Tasha, she was six months old at the time. Sadly in February this year her time came to be passed on to rainbow bridge and she is missed dearly. She would be 15 years old this April. She has lived a great life full of laughter and has left us with plenty of stories to tell. 
 
When we first brought her home (I was five at the time) she was very mischevious. She would always empty the cupboards under the stairs, bury bones in the sofa and would sit patiently on the kitchen counter tops waiting for us to come home. She was also one for running off, especially if two gardens up had bread in the garden for the birds! She was quite the escape artist; she learnt pretty quickly how to open doors both ways. She used to love learning tricks and her signituare one was 'play dead' where she lay frozen to the floor, although her tail would still wag. 

When she was 9 we bought Dil the puppy into the house. We thought we would have to be careful in case he kept pestering her, but in fact it was the other way around! she would be forever biting his feet and wanting to play and they became best buddies. Tasha's mischeif didn't disappear as she grew older, she took great delight in figuring out how to open the stairgate so Dil could run up the stairs to wake everybody up for a walk and breakfast! Even in her last few weeks she still would attempt to play by throwing toys in the air and biting Dil's feet. 

I do miss her cuddles in the morning and her laughing nature, but she had the best life and I am so thankful I got to share it with her. Thank you for letting us have her.
 
Katie.