William & Patricia Venton RSPCA, Cornwall

In 1993 the four RSPCA branches in Cornwall pooled resources. They became one registered charity, Cornwall Branch, and they set about realising their dream of owning a rehoming Centre in the county. The branch bought Higher Quoit farm near St. Columb in 1994. It is an ideal site of over six acres, centrally located, with good road access. It provides a base from which animals can be adopted and is a focus for the work of the RSPCA throughout Cornwall.

Thanks to the support of the people of Cornwall the Centre accepted its first cats and dogs for rehoming in 1996. Due to subsequent generous funding provided by Mrs Patricia Venton, phase 2 of the building project was completed in 1999.

To see more information about how we did in 2017 please click HERE

In common with most animal rehoming centres, the number of adoptions is down on previous years due to the nature of the dogs signed into our care. Most have not been properly socialised as puppies or trained and, having been left alone for too long, have been naughty or destructive in the home – hence their being given to the RSPCA.

We keep many dogs for more than two months – some up to a year – in order to work with a qualified animal behaviourist at our expense, to improve the dogs’ behaviour and make them rehomeable. Animals are not euthanised because they are long stayers – we just work harder to find them a new home.

The Centre comprises:
Kennels for 57 dogs and pens for 72 cats.
Accommodation for a wide range of small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and gerbils.
An aviary for wild birds where they can recover from trauma before being released.
A compound for swans, geese and ducks which need rest and recuperation.
A fully equipped room for veterinary treatment for animals in our care.
Office space for training sessions and educational use and a small shop.
To see our Terms of Adoption please see HERE

Twenty staff members are employed at the Centre and there are also a dozen volunteers who attend regularly working as kennel assistants, dog walkers, cat socialisers and serving in the shop.