This is a season of bold steps and big changes for Little Valley. After years of careful planning, fundraising, and vision setting, we are finally ready to begin the biggest transformation of our shelter in decades. Over the next 12 months, you’ll see some significant developments take shape across our site.
These changes mark the beginning of a new chapter for our charity, one that will benefit the animals in our care, the people who care for them, and the communities we serve. Thanks to years of incredible public support, including some very generous legacy gifts, we are now able to invest in essential upgrades that will truly future-proof Little Valley.
Work will soon begin on a brand-new rabbitry (The Warren), a centralised reception and clinic area (The Hub), and vital improvements to our waste treatment system. These are not cosmetic changes, they are crucial upgrades that will allow us to meet rising welfare standards, improve efficiency, and provide a more welcoming space for visitors, adopters, and staff alike.
An artist’s impression of what our brand new reception and office hub might look like. Bigger, better and brighter.
To make this happen, some temporary changes will be necessary. Our reception, staff room and clinic will relocate to a fully fitted wooden building on site, which has been expertly refurbished by local contractors Fifields. This will serve as a temporary reception, veterinary area, staff room, and office space, ensuring we can continue delivering services without interruption. Once construction is complete, the building will become a dedicated community and education space, helping us bring more people into the heart of our work.
We know this transition will bring challenges, and we are incredibly grateful to our staff for their continued patience, dedication, and professionalism. We’re also thankful to our volunteers, supporters, and adopters for standing by us as we take this vital leap forward. We’ll be keeping you fully updated throughout the year and will be doing even more to get out into the community to share our plans and the ongoing work behind the scenes. All of this is only possible because of the generosity shown by people like you.
Every donation, every gift left in a Will, and every item bought from one of our shops has helped lay the foundation for this moment. You are helping us build not just new walls, but a stronger, more resilient future for the animals who need us. Next year, we’ll be proudly celebrating 35 years of Little Valley and 185 years of the RSPCA in Devon. It is fitting that we enter this milestone with bold plans, renewed purpose, and a deep sense of gratitude for the community that has stood beside us. These are exciting times, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next.
