Helping, healing and homing since 1887
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre is the city’s longest standing and largest local animal charity. Our dedicated team has been caring for animals here on Albert Road and out in the community for a long time. Here’s where it all started…
Thanks to SBW Advertising Bristol who kindly created this film for us.
A brief timeline of Bristol Animal Rescue Centre
1886: A lost puppy
It all began when a local man named Edward T Parker found a puppy in a Bristol snowstorm and realised there was nowhere to take him where he could get the food, shelter and care that he needed.
1887: Home established
In February 1887, a meeting was held and it was “unanimously resolved to establish a home without delay”.
1887: Opening
In December 1887, The Bristol Home for Lost and Starving Dogs opened to the public on Waterloo Street.
1895: Time to move
The home had already outgrown the Waterloo Street site. It only had six kennels and it was soon apparent that the need was greater than this. We began “negotiating for the finest site in Bristol”.
1901: Albert Road
The Bristol Home for Lost and Starving Dogs moved to Albert Road, where it still stands to this day.
1907: New infirmary
Kennels were set apart in an isolated part of the home to make room for a new infirmary, which was heated and comfortably fitted, “so that sick dogs are not worried by the healthy ones in the general boarders”.
1914–1918: World War One
Several of the initial band of Home visitors were still carrying out the same volunteer duties during the wartime.
1920: Cats welcome
We began looking out for our feline friends, and cat boarding quarters and a cat infirmary was built. We also began our welfare work by having a set time each day where those who couldn’t afford to board their pets could come for advice and treatment.
1927: On call
Key improvements were made to the site – this included the installation of telephones so that strays could be received at any time.
1935: Death of our founder
Our founder Mr Edward T Parker passed away on 12 March 1935. It was reported as follows: “We think we can say, without hesitation, that no one was better known throughout the whole country than the late Mr Parker, as the friend of dumb animals, particularly dogs and cats. The Bristol Dogs Home stands today as a living monument of what was really his life’s work”.
1939–1945: World War Two Damage
During the Second World War, we suffered some air raid damage which fortunately was not too extensive. We also said “well done” to the citizens of Bristol for the exceptional care taken of their pets during severe raids.
1953: RSPCA partnership
Since December 1953, it was decided with the Charity Commissioners that the home, whilst remaining autonomous with separate funds, would be administered by the Trustees of the RSPCA Bristol & District Branch. We became known as the RSPCA Bristol & District Branch and Bristol Dogs and Cats Home.
1988: The Home expands
Our biggest extension to date opened – this included two new kennel blocks and a new cattery. Nowadays, this is where the dogs who need more individual care stay while they are with us.
1995: Legacy creates the Clinic
Thanks to an incredible legacy from Mrs Louise Wall we were able to open our unique Clinic to serve Bristol’s animals in need.
1995: Home checking
We began a home checking scheme for prospective adopters. It had been done in many parts of the country, but starting a scheme in a city the size of Bristol was something new and many thought it would not work. The initial results showed that animals were being rehomed more quickly and being returned less often, and so the scheme was deemed a success very early on.
2003: Working together
Our administration offices, previously located separate to the home on nearby Gloucester Road, was moved to the Animal Home on the Albert Road site. This allowed all members of the team to work more closely together.
2006: Sponsor an animal
We launched our Sponsor an animal scheme, where people could donate monthly to sponsor a kennel, cat pod, or small animal unit. Their money supports all the animals who pass through our care every year.
2015: Shop opening
Our charity shop on East Street in Bedminster opened. This window on the high street was always a buzz of activity and played a key role in bringing in income at that time. We no longer have a high street shop, but we’re still generating income from retail via online retail today.
2016: Amazing artwork
Our Home was given a fresh burst of life thanks to some amazing artwork from Gage Graphics.
2017: Celebrating 130 years
We turned 130! Our anniversary year was jam-packed with special events and the support of our special #130for130 fundraisers!
2018: Bristol Animal Rescue Centre is born
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre becomes the new working name for the RSPCA Bristol & District Branch and Bristol Dogs and Cats Home. Although we had a new name, we continued to offer the same amazing care for animals in need.
2020: Global pandemic
During the Coronavirus pandemic, our team continued their ceaseless efforts caring for our animals during successive lockdowns. We launched our ‘keep the nightlight burning’ appeal to raise much needed funds for animal care during this time.
2022: Parker’s Adventure
To celebrate the charity’s 135th anniversary, we launched our biggest campaign to date, a city-wide interactive trail featuring our mascot, Parker the Dog who is, of course, named after our founder Edward T. Parker. The trail was launched in partnership with local branding agency and charity partner Halo, and starred actor Sir Tony Robinson as Parker, with a host of other television stars and celebrities who lent their voices to our campaign.
2025: The search for a new home begins
With construction booming in the St Philips area, our centre becomes surrounded by noisy building sites. Vibrations, traffic and dust are impacting our animals’ wellbeing every day. In summer 2025, we launched the ‘Calm Amongst the Chaos’ appeal to raise funds to pay for the additional measures needed to keep our animals stress-free. At the same time, we announced to the public that the search for a new location has begun.
2026: A new legal structure
It was recognised that the charity required a new legal structure to enable less resource to be used administering our charity and provide better transparency for our supporters.
From 1st April 2026, the two charities – Bristol Dogs and Cats Home and RSPCA Bristol and District Branch – have merged to become the RSPCA Bristol and District CIO. A new name, and a new charity number – 1216045.
We remain a local and independent charity, and our charity’s mission, vision and day to day activities remain unchanged.
Get in touch
If you’ve had a great experience with Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, got some feedback for us, or just want to say hi, then please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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