The Blue Cross to remain in Felixstowe for animals in need

PRESS RELEASE 

5 May 2010

Ref. Felixstowe

The Blue Cross to remain in Felixstowe for animals in need

The Blue Cross animal charity today responded to overwhelming support for its animal adoption centre in Felixstowe by committing to remain in the area, with the help of the local community, while also continuing with strategic plans to expand into other areas of urgent animal welfare need across the country.

The charity has spent the last two months reviewing the feedback on the proposal to close the Walton centre and considering alternative plans. 

The Blue Cross Executive Team and Board of Trustees met last week to revisit the proposals together and came to the decision that the charity will remain in Felixstowe to help local animals in need, if funds can be raised to refurbish the current site to an acceptable standard.

Chief executive Kim Hamilton said: “We have been extremely moved by the strength of public feeling for the centre and have listened carefully to staff and the local community through the consultation process.  Over the last two months we’ve revisited our proposals to find a way to stay in this area, while still helping animals in urgent need across the country.”

It has long been acknowledged that the current centre is in desperate need of development and a significant shortcoming is the lack of outdoor exercise space for dogs.  Under the revised proposals, The Blue Cross will try to buy additional land for this purpose and will start negotiations with the relevant authorities immediately.

Kim Hamilton continued: “We are hugely grateful for the passion and dedication that our staff and local people have shown towards the animals at the Felixstowe centre.  We will continue to support animals in the area but we cannot do it alone.  It’s essential that we purchase additional land to stay on the current site and refurbish the centre to acceptable welfare standards.  Now we need your help to raise the funds to do it.”

The revised proposals are now being discussed with staff and volunteers at the centre, with a view to launching a fundraising campaign in the next few weeks.  It is estimated that the funds needed to buy the extra land and refurbish the current site are in the region of £1 million.  

Information about the revised proposals is available by calling the charity’s supporter care team on 0300 790 9903. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Felixstowe takes in and finds new homes for unwanted and abandoned pets from across East Anglia, but its facilities of 20 cat pens and 12 dog kennels are outdated and in desperate need of development.  A veterinary welfare clinic operates for an hour each week, offering subsidised veterinary care to pet owners on low incomes.

The Blue Cross provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

The charity does not receive any government funding so it relies on fundraising and public donations to continue its vital work.  For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.  

Media contacts

Laura Dobson, The Blue Cross press office, 020 7932 4065 / 07917 132 698 (out of hours), laura.dobson@bluecross.org.uk