Lost dogs are enjoying a more comfortable stay as they wait to be returned to their owners or re-homed thanks to major upgrades at City of Newcastle's Animal Facility.
Twelve new dog kennels have been constructed at the Tighes Hill site featuring improved ventilation, climate control, lighting, and access ramps, while a fenced area for exercising the animals has also been provided.
The kennels not only set a high standard for the care of animals, but their design allows for the facility to be expanded or relocated in the future.
A pregnant female Staffordshire Bull Terrier affectionately known as Bonnie is among the rangers' most recent success stories.
With no foster carers available in the Hunter, the rangers used their interstate contacts to match her with an organisation in Victoria that specialises in caring for pregnant dogs.
Bonnie is now living with a foster carer until she gives birth, then when her pups are around eight-weeks-old, she'll be able to find a permanent home.
Last week proved a busy time for the rangers, who also reunited an American Staffy named Tank with his distraught owner, who had recently moved into a new house in Newcastle.
Tank's owners were in the process of 'dog-proofing' the yard when he snuck through a hole in the fence, but thankfully his microchip details were up to date, including his new address, so he was quickly returned home.
Deputy lord mayor Declan Clausen said the city's rangers had reunited 126 lost pets with their owners - and found new homes for 90 other animals - in the past year.
City of Newcastle rangers will provide free microchipping to all eligible dogs at the next 'Pups in the Park' event at Federal Park, Wallsend, from 9am on October 19.
