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National Pet Month: Rescue centres and shelters in Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire


By Federica Stefani

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As National Pet Month reaches halfway, we couldn’t go without celebrating some of the heroes that strive to save and change the lives of so many animals – namely, rescue centres and shelters.

These charities and small organisations play a vital role in safeguarding and supporting pets and other animals.

Whether you may want to adopt a new member of the family, volunteer or support other animals in need by donating to them, here are some of the charities around the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.

We recommend checking what the latest measures in place are at each centre, as most will have some restrictions to safeguard staff and volunteers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Scottisch SPCA (Caithness, Inverness, Aberdeen)

Scottish SPCA animal care assistant Lindsay Grant,w with Flash. Picture: Gary Anthony.
Scottish SPCA animal care assistant Lindsay Grant,w with Flash. Picture: Gary Anthony.

The Scottish animal welfare charity SSPCA has various rehoming centres across the country, which will make it easy to find the nearest one to you. Aside from protecting wildlife, they are also active in protecting and rehoming pets of all shapes - from dogs to fish, exotic pets and horses - they are the ones you should get in touch with.

Munlochy Animal Aid, Black Isle

Iona Nicol and Max of Munlochy Animal Aid receiving a donation from Crown Vets. Picture: Gary Anthony.
Iona Nicol and Max of Munlochy Animal Aid receiving a donation from Crown Vets. Picture: Gary Anthony.

Founded and run by Iona Nicoll and her team, Munlochy Animal Aid is a well-known reality across the Black Isle and Inverness community.

They are a small organisation safeguarding pets and wildlife alike - you can call to book an appointment and see if the right pet is there waiting for you.

Scottish Exotic Animals Rescue, Nairn

Nick Martin from Scottish Exotic Animal Rescue.. Picture: Becky Saunderson.
Nick Martin from Scottish Exotic Animal Rescue.. Picture: Becky Saunderson.

If you are looking to rehome a scaly friend, look no further than SEAR, in Nairn. They not only rescue exotic animals of all shapes and forms (tortoises, snakes, birds and insects) but it is also a fantastic place to visit and learn about reptiles, insects and other exotic animals.

The knowledge and passion that founder Nick Martin and the team have about all animals is awe-inspiring.

Inverness Cat Rescue

Heather Swinton Raven of Inverness Cat Rescue . Picture: Gary Anthony.
Heather Swinton Raven of Inverness Cat Rescue . Picture: Gary Anthony.

Heather Swinton and Derik set up Inverness Cat Rescue in 2009 to help needy cats in the Highland capital's area, and work to support unwanted and abandoned purrs. They rescue and re-home stray and unwanted cats and also set up an emergency food bank to help cat owners in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Grantown Dog Rescue, Strathspey and Badenoch

A small group rehoming dogs in the Strathspey and Badenoch area. Although they don't have kennels, the dedicated group of fosterers at Grantown Dog Rescue works for caring for abandoned, stray or unwanted dogs and help rehome them.

KWK9 Rescue, Caithness

Rehoming dogs in need across Caithness, North Sutherland and Orkney, KWK9 are fully run by volunteers and the pets to be rehomed are kept in foster homes across the area - which is why the charity is often looking for new fosterers.

Moray Cats Protection

The local Cat's Protection branch stretched out from Brodie to Portsoy and Tomintoul to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome unwanted cats, as well as assisting in the neutering of cats where owners are on low income.

Banff & Aberdeenshire Rescue & Rehoming Kennels

BARRK has been helping dogs finding a new loving home for over 23 years, and they also provide a fostering service for older dogs or those with long-term illnesses, as well as a neutering and vaccination programme.

Mrs Murrays Cat & Dog Home, Aberdeen

Rescue charities are vital to give dogs and pets a second chance in life.
Rescue charities are vital to give dogs and pets a second chance in life.

Founded in 1889 by Mrs Susan Murray, the charity offers refuge and shelter for stray and abandoned dogs and cats in Aberdeenshire and in the city. They also offer boarding services for dogs, cats, small animals and birds.

Although not based in the North of Scotland, some other rescue charities will have fosters in the area so, if rehoming is what you are looking for, have a look at some more Scotland-wide charities.

You will find more content for National Pet's Month on our website and you can also keep an eye on our Facebook page.


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