An animal rescue charity featured on a long-running TV show has announced plans to reduce its workforce as part of a restructuring effort to address “unprecedented pressures from rising costs.”
Woodgreen Pets, located in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, confirmed that “a number of roles amounting to 20 full-time equivalents will be at risk of redundancy.”
In a statement, the charity, known for hosting Channel 4’s The Dog House, emphasized its new focus on assisting more pets in their homes rather than solely at the rescue center.
It added, “We remain committed to rehabilitating and rehoming pets in crisis, as we have always done.” Established in 1924 in Wood Green, north London, the charity moved to Cambridgeshire in 1987.
The Dog House, a staple on TV since 2019, features the matching of animals with potential owners. Last year, the charity reported an 18% increase in demand for its services.
Woodgreen Pets stated that the proposed restructuring follows “a comprehensive review of our operations to ensure the long-term efficiency and sustainability of the charity.”
The aim is to increase the number of pets helped in homes and prevent them from needing rescue, which should always be a last resort, while still being able to take in and rehome more dogs, cats, and small animals at their center in Cambridgeshire.
This restructuring will involve job cuts in teams responsible for pet services.
“We understand this is a challenging time for our staff, and we are doing everything possible to support them through this important consultation period,” the statement continued.
A member of the pet team, who requested anonymity, expressed concern to the BBC about the proposed changes to staff contracts and their impact on the animals. They also reported being informed that certain animals, including chinchillas, chickens, and ferrets, would no longer be accepted at the rescue.