Happy birthday Southampton

One of our adoption centres is celebrating its 100^th birthday this weekend.

The Southampton centre was officially opened on February 28^th 1910.

Originally called the Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats and Dogs, it was formed by Della Ganna, a long time subscriber to Our Dumb Friends League, as we were then known.

It was a hub of activity from the start and looked after the pets of soldiers in both the First and Second World Wars.

It moved to its current site in Bubb Lane, West End, in 1991 and now benefits from state of the art facilities after a £1.5 million revamp last year.

There is a new vet clinic which provides subsidised treatment for the pets of local residents on low incomes who cannot afford private vet fees.

It also has new kennels, an isolation unit for animals with contagious diseases, an admission block for new arrivals to settle in and a puppy and kitten unit for youngsters and expectant mums.

Staff at the centre will be marking the occasion throughout the year. Happy birthday Southampton!