RSPCA Suffolk Central Dog Sensory Garden

Aim

We want to create a sensory garden to provide a calm, safe space for behaviour training and to enrich the lives of rescue dogs in our care.

We have aspired to have a Dog Sensory Garden at our Martlesham Animal Centre for several years, however the need and urgency for this project has now escalated due to the steep rise in the number of dogs arriving with challenging or complex behavioural needs. 

The result is that dogs are spending longer in our care due to their behavioural needs and the current cost of living which means less people are taking on a new pet. 

In 2022, the average length of stay for our dog in our care was 68 days. In 2023 that has nearly doubled to 129. 

On average 50% of dogs in our care are under the supervision of a clinical behaviourist due to complex or challenging behaviours.

We want to help as many dogs as we can which means preparing them for new homes as quickly and effectively as possible, and giving them the best quality of life in the meantime.

A Dog Sensory Garden will help reduce stress in rescue dogs in our care and provide a valuable training space to help them on their rehoming journey. 

The Dog Sensory Garden would ensure a year-round space so that every dog in our care can enjoy enriching experiences every day. This is especially important for dogs who are struggling with life in kennels and have limited opportunities to experience new objects and environments in a calm way.

• Dogs will enjoy stimulation of all their senses, with different textures, smells and sights. 
• When the weather is too hot for walks, or on rainy days, the Dog Sensory Garden will provide a cool and shaded space so dogs can still enjoy some stimulating outdoor activities. 
• Solid fencing will prevent distractions and triggers that may cause anxiety, aiding with behaviour training.

We also hope that the local community would also benefit from:

• A safe and interesting training space for behaviour training sessions for private dog owners.
• A quiet, reflective space for people to remember loved and lost pets.
• Volunteering opportunities to create the space, tend to the garden, and engage with rescue dogs.
• Staff and volunteers will have access to a calm and sensory environment to rest and decompress.

 What the garden could look like:

The difference it could make

Milo has been with us for nearly a year. He is nervous of new spaces and takes his time to build confidence before exploring. He is sensitive to noises and becomes nervous at the sight and sound of vehicles. Our team is working with him to build his confidence by slowly introducing new experiences at his own pace. A Dog Sensory Garden would give him the opportunity to feel, see and sniff new and novel things in a quiet, safe space free from scary distractions.

This garden could make a real difference to the dogs in our care, our staff and volunteers and the local community, so do please donate if you can.

This project successfully funded on 3rd May 2024