WI Notes
Ruth Killcullen from the Wood Green Animal Shelter at Godmanchester came to the
W.I. in September to tell us about the work at the Shelter. It opened in 1924
in a house in Wood Green, North London. We were shown a slide of the house,
still there and much the same as it was in 1924. It looks after the needs of
local pet owners.
Since then, the shelter has expanded, first to Heydon in Hertfordshire which now looks after mainly cats and other small animals. Then, in the 1980s, the much larger Godmanchester centre was opened. This has accommodation for 74 dogs, nearly 100 cats and various other small animals. It also has field animals such as horses, donkeys, goats etc.
When an animal is taken to the Shelter, the staff find out as much information as they can from the owner, all of which is passed on to the new owner. It would have a vet-check, a behavioural assessment and be de-flea-ed. They also like all animals to be micro-chipped.
165 full-time staff are employed at the three shelters and to help raise the £5,000,000 a year needed there is a Gift Shop, Thrift Shop and restaurant at Godmanchester. As many people may have noticed there is a wind-turbine. The electricity this provides is sold to the National Grid and brings in £30,000 in 3 years.
Ruth presented us with a very interesting talk and several members are planning to attend the Shelter's annual carol concert in December.