A SOUTH Lakeland animal rescue centre has celebrated a successful year after hundreds of cats and dogs found their 'forever home.'

In total Animal Rescue Cumbria’s Wainwright Shelter, at Grayrigg, near Kendal, has found a new home for 111 dogs and 199 cats and kittens.

Manager Amanda Nicholson said: “It has been a year of many changes for Animal Rescue Cumbria with my appointment and that of the Senior Animal Carer. We have developed a forward plan for the charity and there are certainly some exciting times ahead.”

The dog success stories of the year included Vinnie, a three-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who had a guarding issue with toys.

For the four months Vinnie stayed at the shelter, the staff taught him manners and letting go of his possessions before trotting off to his new home in Poulton-le-Fylde in September.

Ruth Knowles, senior animal carer said: “It’s been a very successful year for Animal Rescue in terms of homing dogs and we’ve seen some of the best turnaround in terms of progress with behavioural issues.”

Vinnie's new owners, David and Nancy West, praised the shelter's work with him.

"He’s a super little dog – a typical terrier but his recall is perfect. He’s the best behaved dog we have ever had.”

One of the characters of the shelter cattery included Benson, a large feisty stray ginger tom who had to have one of his eyes removed due to the damage he had suffered as a stray.

Jacquie Bland, a receptionist at Westmorland Veterinary Group, fell for Benson during one of his visits to the surgery and ended up adopting him.

She said: “Benson settled in perfectly as a farm cat and has 300 acres to roam and be a tiger in – he has a tracker so we know where he goes! He’s usually out between 10pm and 2.30am but he always lets me know when he gets back and generally brings me a present too.”

Mrs Nicholson added: “On behalf of the trustees and staff I would like to thank all of the individuals and businesses who have supported our charity in so many different ways over the year, enabling us to continue to improve on the work we do in helping people and animals.”