No death row for unwanted pets at new $30m animal shelter

EXCLUSIVE: An ambitious new animal shelter in Western Sydney won’t put pets on death row but instead aims to find homes for all ‘adoptable’ pets.

EVERY dog — and cat, bird, rabbit, horse and even deer — will get its day, lots of them, at a new animal shelter that won’t put pets on death row.

Unlike other council shelters, where more than one in six dogs are euthanised, the ambitious new $30 million Animal Re-Homing Centre will find homes for all pets deemed “adoptable”.

More than 10,000 dogs, cats and other animals will be re-homed each year from the 10.5 hectare property at Glendenning in Western Sydney.

These adorable rescue pups were always going to find a new home but soon all dogs will be able to get a new family. Pictures: Sam Ruttyn

In a move dubbed the first of its kind, behavioural experts will assess each dog to determine the best type of home it requires, with those deemed “adoptable” given no time limit on their stay.

And, in a step welcomed by anti-domestic violence advocates and police, the Blacktown Council centre will provide a free safe haven for the pets of partners caught up in violent family disputes.

With the final design work almost complete, the council is seeking to partner with the state government to realise the ambitious project.

“As long as a dog is assessed to be adoptable, there will be no time limit.”

The council has asked the government to match its financial contribution.

With Sydney University School of Veterinary Science on board as a partner, Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali said construction will begin as next year.

“The council has re-imagined the whole concept of rescuing, caring for and rehoming abandoned and unwanted animals with a new, integrated animal rehoming centre,” he said.

“The facility will have the capacity to manage stray and unwanted animals from far beyond the boundaries of its Blacktown Local Government Area.

Truck driver Craig Connor asked Blacktown’s existing shelter to find him a long-term unwanted dog — and named him Knucklehead. Pictures: Sam Ruttyn

Shelter worker Lexi Zerna feeds Daisy the cow and goats at lunchtime.

“Council envisions the centre offering a range of other services and facilities to generate community benefits never previously contemplated by old-fashioned council pounds.”

The latest Office of Local Government figures show 54,079 dogs ended up at a council pound in 2014, with almost 20,000 released back to their owners.

Of the remainder, around 10,000 were handed to rehoming organisations while 4184 were sold.

More than 9000 were euthanased, including 3120 that were “unable to be rehomed”.

The remainder were put down at the owner’s request, or because they were injured or ill, or unsuitable to be rehomed.

Emily Hegarty with her new dog Henric. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

However, those dogs assessed as being dangerous will not be re-homed.

Dogs suitable for rehoming will be kept at the shelter until they are found a new home.

It’s hoped this will include a large numbers of greyhounds expected to require rehoming following an industry overhaul.

The family-friendly shelter, which includes a cafe, will be linked to walkways and cycle paths in the Western Sydney Parklands in the hope of attracting prospective new pet owners.

Shelter staffer Kate Blomfield fusses over rescue pups.

Among its leading advocates is Australian vet Dr Katrina Warren.

“As long as a dog is assessed to be adoptable, there will be no time limit,” she said.

“The behaviour and temperament testing of the dogs will help people find the right animal for their lifestyle.”

North Ryde dog lover Emily Hegarty, 21, found her perfect dog after seeing an advertisement for a six-year-old Alaskan malamute posted by the council pound. She has named him Henric.

“I’ve always wanted an Alaskan Malamute, and he has been fantastic — he’s very lovely and cuddly,’ she said.

“I am glad we were able to save him.”