The Blue Cross to remain in the South East for animals in need

PRESS RELEASE

4 May 2010

Ref. Northiam

The Blue Cross to remain in the South East for animals in need

The Blue Cross animal charity today responded to supporters of its animal adoption centre in Northiam by committing to continue helping needy animals in the South East, while also taking forward 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 Northiam centre and considering alternative plans.

The Blue Cross Executive Team and Board of Trustees met last week to revisit the proposals together and agreed that the charity will retain a presence in the South East for dogs, cats and small pets, with the help of the local community.

Kim Hamilton said: “We fully appreciate and are grateful for the passion and dedication that our staff and local supporters have shown towards The Blue Cross. Over the last two months we have listened carefully to their feedback and looked at ways to continue helping animals in the region, while still supporting those in urgent need across the country.”

It has been acknowledged that the current Blue Cross centre at St Francis Fields is outdated and in desperate need of development, requiring significant investment. The charity will seek to raise the funds to move to a more suitable location in the South East where it can deliver its services more effectively.

Kim Hamilton continued: “Sadly, our current location at Northiam is not suitable so we need to find a more appropriate site where we can help more animals in need. But we cannot do it alone. We need your help to raise the funds to continue helping animals in the South East.”

Following discussion with staff and volunteers, The Blue Cross will begin to search the South East region for an appropriate site. The Northiam centre will remain open until a new facility has been established, and the future of the land will be decided once a new location has been found. At this point the small animal rehoming activity will relocate to the new site and the resting and retired horses and ponies will be transferred to Blue Cross equine centres in Burford, Oxfordshire and Rolleston, Staffordshire. Homeless horses and ponies from the South East will continue to be taken in by these centres, as they are now.

Kim Hamilton added: "We know this has been a difficult time for staff and will do everything we can to support them whilst we find and relocate to an alternative facility."

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

ENDS

Notes to Editors

· The Blue Cross animal adoption centre at Northiam takes in and finds new homes for unwanted and abandoned pets from South East Sussex and parts of Kent, but its facilities for 34 cats and 11 dogs are outdated and in desperate need of development.

· The 38-acre site is shared by an equine rest and retirement centre which cares for Blue Cross horses and ponies that are not suitable for rehoming, either because they are too young, too old or have specific medical or behavioural needs. Homeless or unwanted horses in the area are taken in by Blue Cross equine rehoming centres across the UK.

· 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 contact

Ziela Haider, The Blue Cross press office, 020 7932 4063 / 07860519716 (out of hours), ziela.haider@bluecross.org.uk