Darlington Dogs Trust celebrated the opening of a new rehoming centre this week following the redevelopment of their 28-year-old facility.
Over 18,000 dogs have been rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed at Darlington Rehoming Centre since it first opened its doors in May 1994. The charity said that while the shelter was still functional, it was no longer suitable for the dogs coming into their care as many have behavioural problems and anxieties.
And on Tuesday, Dogs Trust staff and their canine residents helped celebrate the official re-opening of the rehoming centre following the redevelopment which began in June 2018. The centre has a range of new facilities, including a hydrotherapy pool and underwater treadmill, and is currently the only Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in the country to have a hydrotherapy pool which is 8,000L and heated.
Read more: 84 dogs, cats and tiny animals looking for loving homes in the North East - could you help?
The centre also includes 77 kennels with underfloor heating, outdoor exercise areas with sand, water features and different play equipment and surfaces, a fully equipped veterinary suite, and a refurbished training barn where the charity's Dog School runs weekly dog training classes and 121 sessions for local dog owners.
Two new intake blocks, where dogs are assessed when they first come into Dogs Trust's care, as well as a dedicated Specialist Training and Rehabilitation (STaR) block also feature in the centre's redevelopment. The STaR block will provide dogs with a quiet, private space where specialist behavioural staff can work with them on an individual basis to overcome their anxieties and fears, helping them learn the skills needed to cope with everyday life in a loving forever home.
The redevelopment means that staff at the Darlington centre will now be able to have an even greater impact on the lives of rescue dogs in the North East.
Speaking at the re-opening event Dogs Trust CEO, Owen Sharp said: "The expansion and redevelopment of Darlington Rehoming Centre will be invaluable in allowing us to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome more dogs in the North East, particularly dogs with behavioural issues, which is the number one reason dogs come into our care.
"We have already witnessed the difference the new kennel design; Specialist Training and Rehabilitation (STaR) block and hydrotherapy pool are making to the lives of our rescue dogs. It has been truly fantastic today to officially re-open the centre while saying thank you to all our dedicated staff and supporters who have made this day possible."
During the event, special thanks were given to the players of People's Postcode Lottery for generously funding £900,000 towards rebuild costs, and to Petplan Charitable Trust and W G Harvey's Discretionary Settlement for their kind support in funding new facilities at Darlington Rehoming Centre.
To see all the dogs waiting to find their forever homes at Darlington Rehoming Centre click here. To join a Dogs School training class in the Darlington area click here.
Read next:
