New shelter receives the paws up

RICHARD PAYNE

PUPPIES, kittens, bunnies and ducklings are the big winners after the opening of the new RSPCA shelter in Unanderra.

Moving into the $7 million facility in early August, RSPCA staff have already noticed a large change in the animal's behavioural patterns after relocating from the cramped and old conditions prevalent in the old North Wollongong facility.

"That shelter was just outdated. It was built by volunteers over 30 years ago," RSPCA spokesperson Judith Wright said.

"We had outgrown the facility, it only had 16 very small kennels on offer and we were struggling to keep the place hygienic and clean.

"The animasl have already fallen in love with the new shelter and they are certainly a lot more happy than they were at North Wollongong which is obviously what it is all about."

With 68 kennels on offer, the new shelter is set on over 30 acres of land at the back of Unaderra.

Able to house around 180 dogs and cats at any one time, the shelter is currently negotiating with council to take control of the regions pounds as well, a move that would see an increase in the shelters nine current staff members.

"We have the facilities now so why not," Mrs Wright said.

"This place is state of the art, the design is brilliant.

"The dog kennels are heated and the cats have air conditioning and a lounge to play in so it really is fantastic."

"We are finding that when people see the animals in a better environment they are more inclined to take them home and care for them, which is certainly what we are after."

With horse stables, a poultry area and more kennels still to be built on the complex Mrs Wright is hoping the next stage will be finished around Christmas.

With no government funding available to the charity Mrs Wright said it had taken a lot of fundraising to get this far already.

"A lot of people bequest legacies to us in there wills and apart from that it is really down to the hard work of employees and good will of the general public," she said.

"Wideform constructions have also been very good to us as well, without them we wouldn't be where we are today."

The RSPCA aims to conduct, manage, operate or encourage clinics, or shelters for the care of animals.