Famous Faces found at Woodside

With so many animals coming through Woodside Animal Welfare Trust’s doors over the years, inspiration is often needed when giving new un-named arrivals a name.

Providing sanctuary for up to 150 animals on site at any one time, Woodside has been finding pets of all shapes and sizes loving new homes since founder Carole Bowles first began her pioneering work in 1974.

Often turning to its supporters for name suggestions, Woodside have had some interestingly named pets under its roof in the past, including festively named Frankincense and Mryhh – a pair of guinea pigs who joined the Elfordleigh Sanctuary during the festive season.

Animals can be bought to the sanctuary as a result of the charity’s dedicated welfare round, which carries out vital and varied work in the community. Woodside’s Welfare Officers often find themselves advising pet owners, taking in abandoned animals, and trapping & neutering stray cats – amongst a wide range of other jobs.

Whether a pet has been abandoned, is a stray, or is born at the sanctuary, it’s not unusual for Woodside to provide sanctuary to animals that arrive unnamed. With most typical pet names already used up (and sometimes many times over), Woodside’s staff have to get inventive when a new arrival that has no name above their door.

This year alone, two rabbits were given the names Timon and Pumbaa, after the characters of popular film the Lion King. Later, Rabbit Row’s staff had to get thinking once more when two rabbits joined the sanctuary after the owner was unable to keep them with her dog. The pair of female lops took on a musical theme for their names as a tribute to a popular American pop singer, resulting in them being called Billie and Eilish.

Thankfully, the adorable pair have now been reserved and are soon to join their new home. The staff at Woodside however will no doubt have to get their thinking caps on again soon when it comes to naming the next new arrivals to the charity.

To find out more about Woodside’s work, please visit their website www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or call 01752 347503.