​The animals listed in this section are rescues that have sadly passed over to the rainbow bridge.
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The stories are incredibly sad and have caused us a lot of pain. Losing an animal is one of the cruellest, darkest feelings imaginable...

But, as a rescue we feel it is vitally important for their stories to be told and to help spread the word on neutering, micro-chipping and caring for all animals for as long as they are with us.

​No animal should ever be left to fend for itself.

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Read more about WAR's story

Jonny, Iris And Bob

Our rescue began after we took in 3 feral kittens who had fallen from a roof top. Their mum Blackwell had given birth to them in a place where they could never have been safe. After they had fallen, we had no choice but to take the kittens in and get them to the vets.

After veterinary treatment and a bit of love and feeding, the trio appeared to be doing well. As time passed we noticed the kittens were not doing as well as they should be; a trip to the vet revealed that the 3 kittens had suffered severe neurological injuries. Unfortunately, it was advised that the best thing was to let them go.
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​Although this is a sad ending, it inspired us to keep helping other animals in an official capacity and was the beginning of Wallington Animal Rescue.

Jodie's Story (RTA's)

Jodie

Jodie was found in Wallington in a really bad way; dragging her back legs and in a lot of pain. A worried passer by put a call for help out on social media and WAR arranged for Jodie to be rushed to the vets.

We searched for a microchip, but we couldn't find one.
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Jodie was given strong pain relief and the vet suspected she had be hit by a car. Jodie was taken back to WAR but she was unable to pass urine and was deteriorating.
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​​She was rushed back to the vets for x-rays, which revealed multiple pelvic fractures that could not be repaired. These fractures were also impinging on her spine.

For that reason, the heartbreaking decision was made to let her carry on sleeping peacefully.
​In honour of our beautiful Jodie, the 23rd of October is officially Jodie's Day and is marked and dedicated to her in our WAR calendar is now Jodie's Day.

Sebastian Mulberry

We was alerted by the MET police, this cat was found in a flat, living along side his deceased owner for several weeks.
He was collected and scanned for a chip, where we learned his name was Sebastian and he was the grand old age of 15. It also told us he had been with his owner since a kitten and his owner had loved and cherished him his whole life.
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Sebastian came back to the rescue and initially seemed to be doing well despite his horrendous ordeal. But as the week went by, he stopped eating and got very weak. The vet conducted lots of tests and considering his age the tests came back clear. But Sebastian continued to deteriorate.

It was decided with the vets advise that Sebastian was to be put to sleep. We feel his heart was broken from the loss of his loving owner. Good night sweet Sebastian, we hope your broken heat is mended now you are reunited with your loving owner.

James

The gorgeous James had a terrible life before he came to WAR. Along with other British Short Hair cats, he was forced to live in rabbit hutches by a breeder who used them to make a profit without any care for the cats welfare.
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Unfortunately he was diagnosed with lymphoma and was  not suitable for adoption so instead went in to long term care with our fosterer. Despite this, James never let his previous cruel life or illness affect his zest for life and everyone who met him fell in love with him.
Sadly his condition deteriorated and it was effecting him, so the sad decision was made to let him head over the rainbow bridge in the loving arms of his WAR family.

Read about encountering strays

Edna

A kind lady was feeding Edna as a stray but as she was going away, she was worried who would care for Edna.
When Edna arrived at WAR, she was underweight and in very poor health, as well as had dental issues and breathing difficulties. She looked to have been living rough for some time and was not chipped.

It was decided by the vets to try and fatten Edna up so she was strong enough to have surgery for her teeth. However, her health began deteriorating; she had blood on her face and her breathing was worsening.
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​Rushing back to the vets, we discovered that she had a burst ulcer and her blood results showed a multitude of health problems. It was decided it was kindest to let Edna pass away peacefully at the vets in the arms of WAR.

Loki

We tragically lost Loki (previously known as Robin Hood, and came in with the four barn kittens and all were nursed by supermum, Tanya) on Wednesday 25th November 2020.
He was taken ill very suddenly and his health deteriorated very quickly. His loving owners, David and Lauri, had to make the terrible decision as they did not want him to suffer any more than he already had done.

He was a beautiful boy with such a loving, caring personality. His owners miss him very much and are absolutely devastated that he was taken from us so quick and so young. We had to do what was best for him. 

He is survived by his mum, Freya (Tanya as you knew her), and the many memories, photos and toys of his in his house. A huge thank you to David and Lauri for taking care one of our WAR babies and giving him a very happy life.

Georgina

​The beautiful Georgina came to us from Purley.
She was wandering the streets in a terrible state.

Upon rescuing her we rushed her straight to the vets as it was clear that she was very poorly. She underwent all kinds of treatment for a suspected broken spine. The wonderful staff at Avenue Road Vets tried everything to give her a chance and we were even giving her daily injections.

​Sadly it got to the point that there was nothing else that could be done and she was in great pain,  so we made the tough decision to let her go, she went to sleep with both of us there.

Beckie

Poor Beckie was found collapsed in Hackbridge,
It was around 8pm and her description didn't sound good, so we rushed out to collect her.

She was extremely weak, flea ridden and her teeth were in a horrible state. We stayed up all night hand feeding her fluids, as we didn't think she would last the night.

​We took her to the vets in the morning, but sadly and unfortunately, she was in multiple organ failure.
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​There was nothing that could have been done, so we cuddled her and she went to sleep in our arms. 

Fifi

Lovely Fifi was referred to us by Wingrave Vets where she had been handed in as a stray.

Sadly, she was diagnosed with renal failure.
​We knew she was too poorly for rehoming so she stayed with us at the rescue and enjoyed her retirement with us safe in the knowledge she was warm, fed and loved.

​We had her for two months then her illness took hold and we had to say goodbye.

​She went to sleep peacefully in our arms.

Alice

Sweet little Alice was just 24 hours old when she died.

She was the tiniest kitten we have ever seen.
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​Her mother is a semi feral cat, who was brought to the rescue along side her other kittens.
Her sister has also since given birth to her own litter.

It breaks our heart when animals do not even get the chance to live a long life from the beginning, and it is an extreme shame. However, we hope we filled your short-lived life with warmth and happiness Alice.

Nala

The lovely Nala came to us from Carshalton.
We rehabilitated her and found her a fabulous home.

Unfortunately one day when Nala's new owner returned home from work, she found Nala had died. This was such a terribly sad and shocking time for Nala's owner and WAR.

We collected Nala's body and had her cremated and returned her ashes to her owner.
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​Poor Nala wasn't with her owner for long but she was loved and cared for in the short time she was.

Martha

Lovely little Martha born at the rescue, her mother and aunt both semi feral cats were brought in to the rescue, her aunt had already had a litter and then her mother gave birth to Martha and her siblings.

Sadly at 1 week old it was clear that she wasn't doing well; she wasn't developing or feeding. We intervened and placed her in a specialist incubator and began hand feeding her every two hours.

​We did everything we could possibly do to save her but sadly she lost her battle and died in our arms.

Sarah

The lovely Sarah was rescued from living on the streets with her two young kittens; Anthony and Brian.
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Once the kittens were old enough, Anthony went off to a new home and the Brian was to stay with Sarah. After a while at the rescue, Sarah and her son were rehomed to a lovely family.

Sarah and Brian settled in and were really happy in their new family home. Sadly though, as time passed Sarah's new owner informed us that Sarah was taken ill suddenly and despite vet care, it was decided that she was too ill and was put to sleep. Our thoughts are with Sarah's loving family.

Road Traffic Accidents (RTA's)

Woody

This gentle giant was found in Woodbourne Gardens in Wallington, who took him to the vets. A lovely lady, walking her dog, saw the poor thing curled up in the afternoon and then found him outside her house that night. He went in her porch and stayed there all night until the morning.

It looked like he had been involved in a car accident and was in pain. Woody underwent emergency surgery and sadly lost his back left leg at the hip, as well as a number of teeth. Tragically we received a call from the vets a few hours after Woody's surgery to say that Woody had taken a turn for the worse.

In consultation with all the lovely staff at Avenue Road Vets, we all took the decision that to prolong any further pain or suffering to Woody would be wrong, due to complications both pre and post surgery. He went to sleep in our arms.

Miss T

​The stunning Miss T came into us with her sister Maggie. Her loving owner was sadly diagnosed with cancer and was unable to cope with them, so contacted us for help.
We of course took them in and reassured their owner the girls would be well cared for and re-homed to a loving suitable home. They were older girls 13 and 14. They were with us for quite a time before the right home was found.

​Both girls settled in nicely in their new home and their previous owner was relieved the girls were doing well. Tragically poor Miss T was taken ill and was diagnosed  with cancer. She quickly deteriorated and had to be helped over the rainbow bridge.

Spencer

Darling Spencer was found in Tesco's car park and rescued by Wallington Animal Rescue. He did get rehomed but unfortunately found himself back at the rescue.

He was very poorly having being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and a ulcerated eye, but that never got the better of him and was always a happy chappy.

​Sadly though, the illness got the better of him and despite trying everything, it was decided that it was better for Spencer to be relieved from pain.
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​He went to sleep being cuddled as he always loved to be.

Gabby

The lovely Gabby was found as a stray in an appalling condition; covered with fleas, stones stuck in her skin and was very very skinny.
​WAR slept at her side the first night she was with them as they were very concerned she wasn't going to make it through the night. Thankfully with love and care, she got a little better.
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However, the vets diagnosed her with lymphoma and was not suitable for re homing. She spent her twilight years here at WAR. After 7 months of sleeping in her bed, having cuddles and fuss, she started to get poorly and it was time to say goodbye to the darling Gabby.

Stray Animal Advice

Holly

Unfortunately, Holly's elderly owner had to be taken into a nursing home. Social Services contacted WAR to collect poor Holly as since her owner had been taken ill, she had been living in a shed.
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On collection, it was clear to see she had health problems - infected eye, wounds on her paw and scabs under her chin. She also had the worse case of worms we had ever come across. WAR took her straight to the vets to be treated.
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Holly still didn't seem well and was under going tests, it was discovered she had kidney failure. Her health got worse and she suffered a seizure which resulted in her losing the partial use of her back legs. At this point, it was clear the kindest thing for Holly was to help her over the rainbow bridge, and went to sleep in the arms of WAR.

Pearl

Pearl was brought to the attention of the rescue by a lovely lady who had rescued her from terrible conditions living on the streets.

She settled in well at the rescue and loved to be fussed but it became clear early on she had serious health issues.
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She was seen by a vet and several different treatments were given but sadly Pearl was just too poorly and under the advise of the vet it was decided to let her go.
​Sweet dreams beautiful girl.

Our Long-Term Care Pets

Sophia

Sophia was found as a stray in Hackbridge. It was clear immediately upon collecting her she was very poorly and quite possibly the thinnest cat we had ever found. Her claws were so overgrown they were embedded in to her pads making just walking very painful.

She was taken straight to the vet who said she needed dental work but as she was an elderly cat and in such poor body condition she needed to build up her strength before any further work could be done but they did clip her claws which made her feel better.
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Back to the rescue she went and enjoyed her food and cuddles. Sadly one night little Sophia went to sleep in her bed and past away. We are so pleased your final weeks were safe and warm and you finally knew you was loved.

Fiona

We took Fiona in at the end of April 2018.
Found as a stray and handed into a vets in Cheam.

Despite our best efforts we sadly had to help her over rainbow bridge. Her condition deteriorated to the point we knew she was in pain.

As much as we try to save them all, sometimes we have to admit defeat for the sake of the animals well-being.
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It breaks our hearts every time.
Night night sweet little girl you can run free now.

Tilly

Tilly's elderly human mum unfortunately could no longer care for her and had to surrender her due to health issues.
​Tilly was 12 years old and had lived with her owner since she was a kitten. She was admitted with skin problems but it was also clear that Tilly had further issues.
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She became very depressed and started self harming at an alarming rate. She visited the vet numerous times and several medical treatments were tired including anti depressants but nothing was helping.
​Following the advise of our amazing vet it was decided that the kindest thing for poor Tilly was to put her to sleep, we hope you finally found your peace Tilly.

Ask to become a fosterer

Juliet

Juliet was found as a stray and WAR was informed she had been a local stray for a long time. When she first arrived she was very thin and weak.
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She was taken to the vets and it was discovered she had several underlying medical conditions. She was given medicine and constant blood tests to monitor her and whilst she was in recovery she went in to foster care.
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Her health picked up for a time and she gained weight and her body condition improved greatly under the loving care of her fosterer.

Sadly one morning Juliet was found collapsed, after being rushed to the vets she continued to weakened and sadly passed away.

Rosie

The lovely Rosie was rehomed by WAR to a loving family.

Sadly, we received a message from Rosie's family to say she was taken ill and after seeing a vet she was diagnosed as terminally ill.

​Swas sadly put to sleep with her loving family at her side.
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Good night Rosie we are so pleased you was loved and cherished in your last months.

Smirnoff

Tiny Smirnoff was re homed by us to a loving owner who cherished him.

Sadly, since hamsters do not live very long, age got the better of him and he passed away peacefully. We are glad we helped Smirnoff live his final months in a loving home with a comfy place to live.

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Can you help?

Here at Wallington Animal Rescue, we try our very best to ensure the lives of the animals we save are as healthy and happy as we possibly can; whether they be cat, dog, reptile or any animal we may encounter!

And although sometimes we can't avoid the inevitable, we use our funds to try to make the lives of those suffering as comfortable as possible so they can spend their final days without a worry. If you are able to help us with this, please consider donating, fundraising or even fostering one of our lovely rescues by visiting the Support Us page.

How You Can Support Us