Here at The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, we are here for you and your companion through every step of the journey.
We help animals from birth through to passing whether this is providing a safe place for sick, unwanted, and abandoned animals to come when they need it most or through our low-cost veterinary clinic for families with financial difficulty.
We are always ensuring no pet suffers because of cost.
We wanted to recognise that part of this journey are the memories left once a pet has passed and CDCH wanted to be there for these families too.
Families that have lost a pet as well as those just beginning the journey with a new adoption.
With the kind and generous support of Westerleigh Group, the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home will be the first of its kind to recognise pets as family members and offer a memorial post-box service to pet lovers.
Our new Letters to Heaven post box is identical to the ones installed at Westerleigh Group’s crematoria all over England, Scotland, and Wales.
The idea came from Matilda Handy, then aged nine, daughter of a memorial advisor, Leanne, from Westerleigh Group’s Gedling Crematorium, near Nottingham, as a way of her still being able to feel a sense of connection to her late grandparents.
Leanne Handy, from Gedling Crematorium whose daughter, Matilda, is behind the original idea of letters to heaven post boxes said:
Leanne Handy, from Gedling Crematorium whose daughter, Matilda, is behind the original idea of letters to heaven post boxes said:
Since the first memorial post box was unveiled at Gedling Crematorium last December, Matilda’s idea captured the hearts of so many people and we know that, from feedback received at our
crematoria and cemeteries all over the country, people have gained considerable comfort from using them.
It’s lovely to now see this idea extend to pet owners and animal lovers, helping them come to terms with the loss of their beloved pets.
Here at the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home we currently receive donations in memory of animal lovers, past supporters and pets often accompanied with a note. The letters to Heaven, letter box will allow this to be extended to a place people can come and post a letter, a message or even a birthday or Christmas cards to those that they have lost. We hope that we can remain a beacon of light in their darker moments and provide some release in being able to mark their loved ones memory and allowing them an opportunity to feel more connected to those who have passed in a special way.
The post Box will be situated in a quiet place in our car parking area allowing you to take a minute in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside whilst posting your letter.
Matthew Brook, Head of Memorialisation at Westerleigh Group, said: “Matilda’s post box has touched hearts of so many bereaved people across the country”
With priding ourselves on serving our community of both people and animals we hope that we to can be there to continue to deliver exceptional level of care for everyone at all stages of life.
The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home is an independently funded small charity that relies completely upon funds raised by the community, If you would like to make a donation in memory or simply support what we do please follow this link:
Every letter or card put into the memorial post box is treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. Letters will not receive a reply.
The post box is not owned or serviced by Royal Mail, so no address or stamp is needed on any messages to loved ones put into them.
To report cruelty or an animal in distress call 0300 1234 999
RSPCA Cotswolds, Gloucester & District Branch
