An animal centre is thriving after its recent redevelopment has made it both a rescue centre and an education hub for the community. The RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre completed its new reception and education building shortly before the pandemic hit, but say that now things have settled down they can really make use of their facilities with the community as a rehoming and education centre.
There has been a rescue centre on the site in Radcliffe since 1964, but the trust which runs the centre now was created in 1973, and later split into three parts. The recent redevelopment has allowed for dozens of educational signs to be placed in each area of the site, so that visitors can learn more about the animals and how to care for them properly, in addition to the greater work the centre does.
At the end of November 2022, there were 36 cats in the centre, 8 rabbits and 68 dogs. Before the redevelopment of the reception area and new education suite, the centre redeveloped the cattery and kennel blocks.
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There are now three kennel blocks for dogs, each of which have 17 kennels inside. Lyn Jarrett, who has worked at the centre for several years, said: "Some small dogs share if they come in together, but at the moment they are all full.
"We still get people coming in all the time, but we haven't got any room to take any more in." Many animals at the centre are up for adoption or awaiting their new homes with loving families, but a large proportion were still receiving medical treatment and recovering before they are ready to be adopted.
The centre is open seven days a week for public viewings between 12pm and 3:30pm, but due to the educational resources the centre also hosts lots of school visits. One of the popular areas children like to see are the rabbit hutches.
Lyn added: "We try and teach the younger generation about rabbits as parents will buy rabbits for their children but they actually need so much care, and they are often just left out in hutches. It's quite sad really."
The centre will only rehome rabbits as a pair due to them being such "sociable animals." Lyn explained: "They are not made to be on their own, they can become depressed and shut down."
There are a number of adoption lounges in the centre, where families can sit with the cat or dog they are considering adopting, there is also a space outside they can meet the rabbits, and a quiet area outside where they can spend time with dogs.
Regarding the adoption lounges , Lyn said: "We try and make it as homely as we can, and they can visit the dog as many times as they need. It's important that they are right for them and that they are right for the dog."
Neil McEwen has worked at the centre part time for more than two years, after he spent a lot of time volunteering at the site. Around 12 years ago he adopted Max, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, from the site and described it as being one of the best decisions he made.
Neil said: "He was in here for about 12 months, him being six months at the start and then about 18 months. He has got scars on his back legs so we are not sure, but believe he was being thrown against the wall and being stamped on."
During his time at the centre, Max was mostly confined to casts due to his injuries, making it a very difficult time for him as a puppy who just wanted to play. Neil added: "We met him a few times here before we adopted him.
"He never growled or bit, he just wanted to play. The only concern we had was how these injuries could affect him later in life, but dogs are going to get arthritis in their life anyway."
Neil brings Max to work most days, and the now thirteen year old dog is always on his best behaviour and can enjoy lots of walks and fuss from visitors and staff throughout the day. For the last two years the site has also had a redeveloped veterinary suite and on-site vet.
Lyn explained that the centre works with final year veterinary students from the University of Nottingham. She said: "The students are gaining so much, but we get a lot from it as well."
Thanks to the facilities at the site, students are guided through operations under the close supervision of the on-site vet, which allows students valuable experience of sheltering medicine and also treating animals that have suffered from cruelty or neglect. The centre also offers apprenticeships and works closely with local colleges for students wanting to achieve their their NVQ in animal and customer care.
Many businesses across Nottinghamshire also support the centre with volunteer days, where around 10 members of staff spend the day supporting the centre." Recently volunteers from the financial services company, Experian, came to the centre to put together a new grooming table they donated and helping in other parts of the centre.
Experian worker, Dean Harang, said: "I have been once before and it's very rewarding working with the animals and helping out. It's also nice doing something different for the day."
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