17/10/2026
**18th October 2026 – a very special day in our story.**
Today marks 10 years since we first opened our doors here at The Holdings. A whole decade!
That’s 521 weeks, or 3,651 days, of providing a safe haven for the stray, neglected, unwanted and mistreated animals of Worcester, Worcestershire and beyond.
It’s quite something to look back and reflect on just how much has been achieved in those 10 years. Where once there was barren land, overgrown with waist-high weeds, there now stands an animal centre that has helped save, transform and change literally thousands of lives.
What began as a dream held by a handful of dedicated volunteers, whose passion for animal welfare was stronger than the voices telling them it couldn’t be done, has become a reality. Today, The Holdings is a place of hope, a lifeline for animals who have nowhere else to turn, and a true testament to what determination, compassion and a community pulling together can achieve.
For every single day of those 10 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to make a difference. Our dedicated staff and volunteers have manned the fort, come rain or shine, opening 7 days a week to provide the love, care, rehabilitation and second chances that so many animals desperately need.
Over the years, we’ve cared for and rehomed thousands of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals. Every one has their own story, and there are far too many to tell them all. But some will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Behind every happy ending are countless hours of care, difficult decisions, emotional days, veterinary treatment, patience and determination. Rescue isn’t always easy. There is pain and sadness, and we see far too much of it, but there is also hope, kindness and the incredible reward of watching an animal finally get the life they deserve.
Sadly, over the years, we’ve also lost some of the people who were instrumental in making The Holdings what it is today. In particular, our much-missed branch secretary, Pamela Booker, whose dedication helped shape the centre we know and love. The Holdings stands as a lasting testament to the hard work, determination and passion of those who helped bring it to life. Their legacy lives on in every animal we help, every life we change and every happy ending we celebrate.
**BUT LOVE ALONE DOESN’T PAY THE BILLS.**
It costs over **£400,000 every year** to keep The Holdings running. The costs of caring for so many animals are enormous, and as an independent, self-funded branch of the RSPCA, we raise the vast majority of that money ourselves.
Our three charity shops, fundraising events, donations and the incredibly generous legacies left to us by supporters in their wills all help keep the doors open. Every penny makes a difference, and every year we face the challenge of raising the funds needed to continue our work.
Which brings us to the most important part of this anniversary: **YOU.** ❤️
We haven’t achieved all this alone, and we couldn’t continue without the incredible support of our community.
You’ve shopped with us, bought our plants, attended our events (even if it was just for the cake 😉🍰), donated, volunteered, fundraised, shared our social media posts, and answered our pleas for help. You’ve given your time, your money, your energy, and your kindness. Sometimes you’ve simply told someone about us, helping spread the word that we’re here.
Every pound raised, every hour volunteered, every item bought, every donation made and every post shared helps us continue providing a lifeline to animals who need us.
Whether you work for us, volunteer with us, support our shops, come along to our events or quietly support us from afar, **you are part of The Holdings’ story.** You have helped turn a dream into a reality, kept us going through difficult times and made thousands of happy endings possible.
So, from everyone at The Holdings, and on behalf of every animal who has walked through our doors over the last decade, we want to say one very big, heartfelt…
**THANK YOU.** ❤️
Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for standing alongside us. Thank you for helping us through the difficult days, celebrating the happy endings and making sure we can be here for the animals who need us tomorrow.
Ten years ago, The Holdings was a dream. Today, it’s a home, a safe haven and a place of hope for animals who need a second chance.
We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, deeply grateful to everyone who has helped us get here, and determined to keep making a difference for as long as we can.
Here’s to the first 10 years, to the animals still waiting for their forever homes, to the people who made all this possible, and to the next decade and beyond!
**HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY, THE HOLDINGS!** 🥂🐾❤️
Here’s to many more lives saved, tails wagging, happy endings and second chances. 🐶🐱🐰
