The Danaher Animal Home is a registered charity based in Wethersfield on the Essex and Suffolk border, set on 5 acres of land. We have over 45 dedicated staff members within our organisation and a large volunteer network who work hard to support us in delivering our mission objectives. Each year we take in hundreds of lost, abandoned or ill-treated animals and whilst affiliated to the RSPCA, the Danaher Animal Home is an independent charity entirely responsible for raising its own funds. 50% of the funding required to run the Home is generated by our five retail stores in Braintree, Witham, Chelmsford, Dunmow, and Sudbury. Our staff and volunteers have a calendar of fundraising events which also help generate income to support the Home, in addition to vital donations received from the public and local businesses. The regular support we receive from the RSPCA inspectorate, RSPCA branches and their teams is highly valued, as is their contribution towards rehoming costs, which enables us to find new loving homes for so many animals each year. On arrival, all animals are assessed by our in-house veterinary team and animal care team in order to determine any health and/or behaviour concerns. A timetable is then put in place for appropriate treatment and/or training in order to facilitate the best possible outcome for the animal. There is no time limit on how long this process can take. We are devoted to providing the best possible care for our animals throughout their stay and our policies and processes have been carefully established to ensure that all animals receive the best chance at a safe, secure and content future. Our non-selective intake policy means we deal with a variety of animals, many of whom have complex medical and behavioural conditions. Every animal is treated on a case-by-case basis and we do everything possible to provide them with a second chance at a forever home, however difficult that may prove. In addition to ensuring all animals are respected and treated with kindness and empathy, we provide species-appropriate enrichment, diet, opportunities for play and timely expert veterinary and behaviour care. Treatment for our animals is evidence, ethics and expertise based to ensure that every decision made for each animal is right for their welfare. Meeting the welfare needs of our animals also means ensuring that our team is protected from physical and mental harm. We strive to ensure our entire team, including volunteers, receive adequate training, regular wellbeing checks, guidance and coaching to ensure we can provide the best possible care for our animals. After going through our assessment process, animals deemed suitable for rehoming will be cared for as long as necessary to find the right forever home. We may utilise other rehoming centres within the RSPCA to help us do so. Danaher does not impose time limits on any of our animals and, while our average length of time from intake to rehoming is two months, the process can be as short as a few weeks or as long as several months. Although animals with medical and behaviour conditions can take much longer to rehome, provided we can keep them content and comfortable (in line with our expert veterinary advice), we always work hard to find them new homes. In some cases, we are able to place such animals in foster homes. To meet our goal of placing our animals in loving, responsible and secure households, where possible we undertake home visits, ask all members of the household visit us to meet the animal, and check the welfare (including vaccination and neuter status) of any existing pets. We ensure that every animal rehomed is neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and free from parasites. Exceptions may occur if, to carry out such measures, would directly contradict current veterinary advice.