Wood Green is given the green light for a £3.6 million development

Sept. 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Wood Green Animal Shelters have been given the green light for a £3.6 million refurbishment at its headquarters in Godmanchester.
Planners at Huntingdonshire District Council granted planning permission this week for the demolition of the existing isolation kennels and construction of new kennels, puppy unit, surgery and boiler house.
Chief Executive of the Charity, Dennis Baker said: “This is a landmark project for Wood Green; the biggest since our Godmanchester site was opened in 1987. We are very proud of our plans to provide the most modern kennelling and surgery facilities for the animals in our care. I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who support Wood Green and whose donations have made this project possible, and to the HDC planning staff who have helped ensure we are on target to open the buildings in 2012, which will mark 25 years of animal welfare at Godmanchester."
After 25 years, the isolation kennels and the surgery at our Godmanchester Shelter are desperately in need of modernisation.
Back in the mid-80s our facilities were fabulous state-of-the-art constructions.
In particular, the round parasol-type kennels created a lot of interest from shelters all over the UK and even as far afield as Europe.
But times change, our animal welfare knowledge has improved and kennel design has developed to accommodate this increased learning.
We have been finding it difficult to meet our aim to offer the best facilities to our canine residents therefore we are delighted to be given the go-ahead to build a brand new surgery, new isolation kennels and puppy kennels.
The isolation kennels are where a dog is brought when it first arrives at the Shelter.
Currently it is a noisy and frightening experience for many of our residents.
The new deign will mean kennels will be staggered so the dogs will not be able to see all the others in the unit, there will be double glazing to reduce noise levels and more natural light will filter through.
The existing surgery at Godmanchester has also barely been altered since it was built.
At the time it was a very modern surgical department which worked brilliantly for the purpose and workload for which it was designed.
The four main focuses will be a hospital unit, surgical unit, clinical exam unit and a public reception unit.
Animals housed in small, stressful environments could have their health, recovery and behavior compromised and with our new surgery we are looking to archive a bright, clean and spacious working environment that meets all the high standards animal welfare demands.
Wood Green Animal Shelters has about three-quarters of the money needed for the project. We receive no Government or lottery funding and rely entirely on the support and generosity of the public.

-ENDS-
Notes to editors:

Pictures of the old kennels and surgery, and artists impressions are available on request.
Chief Executive Dennis Baker is also available for interviews on request.