Oakfield Oldies dogs home: A one-of-a-kind happy place

Nestled in the green countryside of Shrewsbury, alongside our rehoming centre, is a cottage with a difference. Each day, it runs as a retirement home for OADs (Older Aged Dogs) looking for a slower and quieter pace of life. Here live the ‘Oakfield Oldies.’

The Oakfield building has four rooms and indoor and outdoor communal spaces, so everyone has plenty of room to stretch their legs. These are all on the ground floor, so no one has to tackle any tricky stairs. This is particularly handy for older residents and residents with health ailments. Shrewsbury’s Assistant Manager also lives next door, so there’s a human on paw if needed.

Our golden oldies each have their own unique space, complete with their favourite toys, blankets, cushions and sofa. They also have access to an outdoor patio where they can enjoy a good potter.

On the wall are framed pictures to remember past residents of Oakfield who are sadly no longer with us, celebrating the chapter they had here and the special friendships made. 

We converted the building to offer the separate ‘old dogs’ home (on-site at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury) with real-life facilities, so its residents feel as at home as possible.  

Sounds of the TV, radio and washing machine keep things feeling familiar for pups who may be struggling with the change of coming into our care. The environment also helps dogs who may not have lived in a house before to get used to having home comforts.

Dogs that live at Oakfield can still be rehomed or enjoy breaks with our lovely foster carers. But this happy place also provides a cosy space that isn’t too overwhelming for them when they’re staying longer term.

“We have found that, often, older dogs who come into our care are used to a certain way of life,” says Charlie Allum, Sponsor a Dog Manager at Dogs Trust.

“While our rehoming centres are built with the dogs in mind, there are some things which can’t be recreated in a kennel. Oakfield is a group living facility, kitted out with a kitchen, bedrooms and living room – it has all the noises and furnishings of a normal home.” 

Meet Elizabeth, Oakfield Oldie VIP  

Of course, for the residents of Oakfield, it’s not just a comfy sofa to snooze on that makes their home feel happy – it’s their friends there too. Their volunteer and staff pals make sure they’re as comfy as can be during their stay at Dogs Trust, however long that may be.

One long-term pal of the Oldies is Elizabeth, who loves befriending pooches in their twilight years. She’s worked at Dogs Trust for just under a decade.

“I love working with the older dogs,” says Elizabeth, Welfare Assistant at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury.  

“It makes my day to come in in the morning and be welcomed by their wagging tails at the door. It’s a lovely place to work,” she adds. “It’s nice to just sit with them and have a snuggle on the sofa, as well as taking them off on little potters.” 

How long do dogs spend at Oakfield?

“Some dogs can be rehomed after a couple of weeks here, which is really nice.”

“Generally, though with the older dogs, we do struggle to find homes for them with their age and medical factors,” says Elizabeth.

Do you have any standout memories from your time working with Oakfield Oldies?

“I remember a dog we had a few years ago called Casper very well. He was a white Staffy transferred to us from Dogs Trust Glasgow,” Elizabeth recalls.

“Casper was 11 years old and really struggled with kennels as he was an older boy. He moved into Oakfield and settled in straight away.”

“I remember checking in on him when he moved in, and he was happily fast asleep on his sofa.”

She adds, “He sadly suffered an infection and had to have one of his legs amputated, but he adapted very well and he loved Oakfield, so being there helped his rehab. He bounced right back!”

The staff at Shrewsbury stayed in touch with Casper when he finally got his happily ever after, and he spent his last year in a loving home.

Can you visit the Oakfield Oldies at Shrewsbury rehoming centre?

The Oldies are part of our Sponsor a Dog scheme. They’re open to arranged visits from sponsors if you’d like to visit them, but we can’t promise they’ll all be awake to say hello. Just head to reception when visiting Dogs Trust Shrewsbury and speak to our lovely staff about popping in for a visit. 

“We have a lot of people who sponsor Oakfield. They come and visit the dogs here and see where their money goes, says Elizabeth. “The connection that people feel to the dogs is really special.”

“We have a lot of people and children that write letters to the dogs, which is really lovely to be able to read to them, especially at Christmas time.”

What’s Christmas like for the Oakfield Oldies?

“All the dogs at the centre are especially spoiled at Christmas,” says Elizabeth.

“We get lots of donations this time of year from sponsors and supporters, so each kennel block and Oakfield will have a sack full of presents! We give them to the dogs and watch them open them. The older dogs need a bit of assistance opening their presents, so we help them with that.”

“Every dog also gets a Christmas dinner portion which they really enjoy!” 

Elizabeth says everyone really loves working Christmas day at Shrewsbury when dogs are involved.

“You think people wouldn’t like to work, but here it is such a lovely day. Everyone comes together and we often do a little group walk on Christmas day too for the dogs that like socialising. We try and make the day as special as possible for them.”

We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helps give our Oakfield Oldies a happy place for Christmas and however long they may need it.