One of Gloucestershire's oldest animal rescues that has rehomed thousands of vulnerable and homeless pets across its history, Cheltenham Animal Shelter is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Since finding its forever home on Gardners Lane in 1939, the charity has served Cheltenham's people and pets through the challenges of a world war and global pandemic; helped a wide range of animals from dogs and cats, to birds, goats and pot-bellied pigs; improved the wellbeing of the local community through its education programmes; and a whole lot more.
With community fundraising and donations as important today as they've ever been, SoGlos rounds up six ways people can support the shelter in its centenary year, whether its a one-off donation, sponsoring a pet pen, or helping to make its anniversary events a success.
Make a donation
One of the best ways supporters can help the charity keep caring for pets is by making a donation – whether as a one-off over the phone, by post, bank transfer or PayPal; or regularly by setting up a direct debit.
You can also help homeless pets by sponsoring a pet pen – for £5 a month, or a one-off £60 payment – where you'll get a personalised welcome pack and updates throughout the year about the pets your sponsorship has helped.
For more information about donating to Cheltenham Animal Shelter, head to gawa.org.uk/support-us.
Attend a centenary event
In addition to its regular fundraising events, the charity has some special celebrations in store for its centenary year. On Friday 5 June at The Tithe Barn in Bishops Cleeve, there's a family-friendly Ceilidh celebration, promising a fun-filled evening of group dancing – with no experience needed – and music from renowned band, Ceilidh Tree.
There's also a 'glitzy' black tie Centenary Ball at Pittville Pump Room on Friday 11 September, with a three-course dinner and live music from Tux Fizz; writer and broadcaster Pam Ayres – a long-time patron of the charity – brings her solo poetry show, Doggedly Onward, to The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury on Tuesday 1 October; while on Wednesday 14 October, the 'hottest event in town' hits the shelter – the Fire and Ice Challenge, where participants will walk over hot embers and broken glass to raise funds.
For more information about the events taking place, including how to get involved, visit gawa.org.uk/events-calendar.
Share your stories
With countless achievements to look back at and celebrate across its 100-year history, the charity has set up a new webpage dedicated to the anniversary, outlining this year's celebrations and featuring a timeline that takes readers from its 1926 foundation through to the present day – while locals are being encouraged to share their memories, too.
The charity is asking anyone who has memories of the shelter through the years, or stories from their parents, grandparents, friends and other family members – along with any photographs – to get in touch, with the team sharing selected stories on its social media channels.
To share your memories of the shelter, head to gawa.org.uk/100-years.
Sponsor an event
Businesses and organisations are being invited to partner with the charity to sponsor a range of events this year, including its centenary celebrations; dog shows at Tewkesbury Big Weekend and Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival; its popular on-site open day and dog show at the shelter; and annual Festive Fayre.
There are three levels of sponsorship to choose from, with bronze including having your logo displayed on printed promotions, on socials and in the shelter's email newsletter; silver also getting you featured on the event webpage and in press releases, as well as the opportunity to supply branded giveaways and merchandise; and gold getting businesses more prominent placement, verbal recognition on the day, complimentary tickets and a tour of the shelter.
To find find out more about event sponsorship opportunities, visit gawa.org.uk/100-years.
Leave a legacy
Accounting for one third of its annual income, many people choose to leave a gift in their will to Cheltenham Animal Shelter, ensuring the charity can continue to provide its services for years to come.
The shelter has a webpage dedicated to leaving legacies, with information about how to make or amend a will through its partnership with the National Free Wills network.
For more information about leaving a gift in your will to Cheltenham Animal Shelter, head to gawa.org.uk/100-years.
Donate raffle prizes
Another way the charity raises funds is through its popular raffles, which take place throughout the year at events and by post. And with raffles planned for its seasonal and centenary events in 2026, it's reaching out to local businesses to donate a range of prizes.
The charity is seeking physical prizes; gift vouchers for goods or services; and pledges for 'an auction of promises' at its Centenary Ball, with businesses getting a shout out on social media in return, reaching the shelter's engaged community of animal lovers.
To find out more about donating raffle prizes to the charity – and for everything you need to know about the shelter's centenary, including its history and how to book event tickets, head to gawa.org.uk/100-years.
