Councillors and self-confessed animal lovers have undertaken a site inspection of the all-new Singleton Animal Management Facility that has raised the bar on animal welfare since it opened early May.
Singleton Council’s new $1.67million building on Dyrring Road was designed and constructed with input from Singleton Council’s rangers to ensure it was fit for purpose, exceeded animal management practices and allowed room for future expansion.
Council’s Director Infrastructure and Planning Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr, said the new facility was highly anticipated by the community and, based on the visit recently, delivered on expectations.
“Council is committed to the welfare of impounded animals, and our main priority is to provide a high standard of care. Our new Animal Management Facility allows us to continue to deliver on our commitment to re-home as many unclaimed, stray and surrendered companion animals as possible through rescue services,” Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
“The new facility has transformed the way of working for our Council Rangers and now best reflects the standard and quality of the work they perform for our community.
“This is a great outcome for our community, who now have an Animal Management Facility they can be proud of.”
The new building includes 16 dog pens and a separate quarantine pen, along with a large cat room, toilet, shower, laundry, reception and office area.
Design and construction of the building also incorporated sustainable design principles, with consideration of materials to reduce noise, harness solar energy and capture water.
“We’ve already had enquiries from other councils, but the real benefits are for the staff who will use it and the animals that will temporarily pass through it,” Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
“We’re really confident this new facility meets the needs of companion animal management now and will set the bar for the years to come.”
Anne Leggett has been a volunteer with Dog Rescue Newcastle since 2014 and said there was absolutely no comparison to the previous facility to what Singleton has now.
“The best thing about it is the rangers are on site at the facility where as before the rangers were only there for feeding, collections and deliveries, it makes a massive difference for the animals,” Anne said.
She added that the facility can always do with toys, blankets and bedding and that anyone wanting to donate could do so at the council administration building in Civic Avenue. Food for the animals cannot be accepted due to regulations.
