Thousands of local pets set to benefit as Blue Cross rehoming centre refurbishment given the green light
Local pet charity Blue Cross was celebrating today after Bromsgrove District Council approved its planning application to rebuild much of its rehoming centre in Catshill, Bromsgrove.
The approved plans will see refurbished dog kennels, a new cattery, dedicated puppy & kitten units, a new pet care clinic for pets owned by local people on a low income and a refurbished reception area. The centre will continue to rehome cats and dogs and provide vet treatment for pets in a temporary clinic until the new site is complete – expected to be in late summer 2015.
Last year, Blue Cross in Bromsgrove cared for over 600 homeless dogs and cats. But the new kennels and cattery will help the charity to rehome more pets and provide a more comfortable environment for them during their stay. Now the plans have been given the green light the charity and launching a local fundraising appeal to help complete the build.
Neil Edwards, Centre Manager at Blue Cross in Bromsgrove says: “We are delighted to hear that planning permission has been granted. Homeless pets staying at the centre deserve better accommodation while they are waiting for a new home. The new facilities will be purpose-built and modern, meaning we’ll be able to provide the highest level of care."
Now planning permission has been granted, Blue Cross hopes that the building work will begin this autumn and be completed in late summer 2015. Once complete, the revamped rehoming centre will boast modern, spacious kennels and cattery, maternity units for puppies and kittens, a veterinary clinic, housing for new arrivals and a dedicated behaviour assessment area.
Blue Cross, which rehomes over 8,000 pets every year across its 12 rehoming centres, receives no government funding and is totally reliant on public donations.
Neil adds: “Now our plans have been given the green light, we will be raising funds for the renovations. If anyone in the local community would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from them.”
To find out more or make a donation visit www.bluecross.org.uk or call 0300 790 9903.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
• The Blue Cross pet rehoming centre in Bromsgrove opened in 1986 and takes in and finds new homes for hundreds of cats and dogs every year. The centre also has a veterinary clinic which provides care to local pet owners who cannot afford private vets' fees. To contact the centre call 0300 777 1460 or drop in at Wildmoor Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 0RJ. The centre is open daily between 10.00am and 3.00pm except Wednesdays when the centre is closed and Sundays when it closes at 2.00pm.
• Blue Cross has been dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years. We opened the world’s first animal hospital in 1906 and since then our doors have never closed to sick and homeless animals.
• Today we run 12 rehoming centres, a network of volunteer foster carers and four animal hospitals across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses every year.
• Blue Cross actively campaigns to improve all aspects of animal welfare, working with the government, schools and others to improve the lives of pets and their owners. For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.
Media contact
Louise Lee, 020 7932 4066 or [email protected]