The suggestion to visit Wood Green Animal Shelter is always met with enthusiasm in our household, and not because we're in the market for a pet. The charity was established in 1924 in London to help abandoned animals in the wake of World War One and today functions primarily as a rehoming centre for an assortment of animals from everyday domestic pets to field animals.
In fact, every animal
I must confess to 'helping' my sons polish off a chocolate cornflake slice despite bursting at the seams.
on the 52 acre farmland site, bar two horses, is looking for a new place to call home. No less than 5,500 animals were cared for here last year alone. The animal shelter also offers veterinary services and are major advocates of animal welfare, visiting schools and colleges to educate on all aspects of animal care.
Our most recent visit was on a sunny, chilly Sunday morning in February. We parked in the generous (and free) car park and decided that the dogs would be our first port of call. 30 or so dogs awaited us, each in their comfortable temporary residence, complete with doggie bed and respective blankets and cuddly toys, presumably from their previous lives.
My son delighted in asking the names of each dog and their information cards told us a bit about their history and what kind of home they would be suited to. Each one tugged at our heart strings and we began fantasising about taking one home. Similar buildings are scattered around the shelter housing cats, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, rats...the list goes on.
It's clear when visiting the centre that the welfare of the animals is paramount, there is information aplenty and rigorous checks are made before any animal is rehomed.
When you've had your fill of animals there is a well equipped outdoor play area for under 12s to help work up a hunger for lunch and beside the cattery is a rather pretty lake with an island protruding from its centre, adorned with a mast to transform it into a pirate ship. Families gathered around the seating areas at the water's edge and my son's imagination was immediately sparked as he told me stories of pirate ducks.
The Oasis Cafe Coffee Shop offers well-priced, simple fayre for visitors of the shelter and the neighbouring refectory building, which on the day we visited was hosting a wedding fair. The children opted for sandwiches (pre-packed and had suffered slightly for it) and I chose the obligatory roast dinner with all the trimmings (pork and beef were on offer). The beef was tender and tasty, as was the accompanying gravy. Homemade roast potatoes, roasted parsnips, mashed potato, swede puree and cabbage were all well cooked and the helpings generous. And all for only £6.95.
If that isn't enough to fill you up, there is a good selection of enticing cakes (I must confess to 'helping' my sons polish off a chocolate cornflake slice despite bursting at the seams).
The children were well looked after at the cafe and were kept entertained with a Wood Green activity pack, packed with educational puzzles and a kennel money box kit together with a handy pack of coloured pencils.
We left the shelter full to the brim, and already looking forward to our next visit.
Entrance to the centre is free of charge and opening times can be found at www.woodgreen.co.uk
Full disabled access,
