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.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Jackie, Acting CEO David Clarke, Dog Rescue Newcastle Shelter Manager John Giddens, City of Newcastle Rangers with Bella the Ranger dog and kelpie pup Lucy at City of Newcastle's Animal Facility at Tighes Hill.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.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the new facilities will help Rangers provide efficient, quality care as they continue to deliver their other regulatory and educational responsibilities.
"Our Rangers do a fantastic job looking after the animals that come into their care," Cr Clausen said.
"In the past year alone, they have helped reunite 126 lost pets with their owners, while a further 90 animals were able to find new homes thanks to the strong working relationships our Rangers have developed with rescue agencies locally, statewide and nationally.
"These new kennels ensure we continue to meet best practice guidelines for an animal facility, providing enriching opportunities for daily exercise in the sun and fresh air.
"This will ensure the animals remain in a safe and comfortable environment while they wait to be returned to their owners or find a new home."
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.
The rescue wall at City of Newcastle's Animal Facility at Tighes Hill.Cr Clausen said stories like Tank's demonstrate the importance of registering and microchipping your pets.
"Out-of-date registration details, a lack of collar, ID tag or microchip, all make it much harder for our Rangers to make these reunions possible," Cr Clausen said.
"We also want to make sure our beloved pets are as safe as possible, which is why through the provision of free microchipping and pet registry advice, we can help busy pet owners take these important tasks off their to-do list.
"The heartbreak of a lost pet can be easily prevented by taking a few simple registration steps, which our rangers are very happy to help pet owners achieve."
City of Newcastle Rangers will be providing free microchipping to all eligible dogs at the next 'Pups in the Park' event on 19 October from 9am in Federal Park, Wallsend.
Dog owners can learn all about responsible pet ownership, meet local dog-based business owners and receive assistance updating details for existing microchips.
For more details visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/
