A new puppy adoption centre with ‘home-like’ meeting yard and lounge are part of a $2.3 million upgrade at Shenton Park Dogs’ Refuge Home.
The redevelopment project, funded by Lotterywest, will help the five-acre property meet growing demands.
Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley, Dogs’ Refuge Home general manager Robyn Slater and Member for Maylands Lisa Baker MLA. Credit: Department of Local Government
Decompression kennels for reactive and anxious dogs, a heritage hub and visitors centre and agility training yard are also part of the upgrade.
Dogs’ Refuge Home general manager Robyn Slater said rescue centres were at crisis point.
“It feels like our work we do, rehoming animals, just isn’t enough – it’s a band-aid solution to a much broader community problem, and the only way that we can really resolve that is to get our community to spread the message that companion animals are not disposable, they’re not replaceable,” she said.
“They have to be treated as members of the family.”
She said the Lotterywest funding would not only increase animal welfare but also further opportunities for community education and improve facilities for volunteers.
The first part of the project will see the demolition of old kennels and building to make way for the new agility and enrichment yard, new adoption clinic and birthing room.
“If you have a look inside our existing laundry and kitchen, you’ll be met with a pokey, dingy, moist, cockroach ridden hole that I cannot believe we asked our team to go into every single day,” she said.
