Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg, MBE, cut the ribbon at the grand re-opening of the NAWT Bedfordshire Centre in Aspley Guise.
Supporters, volunteers, trustees and local dignitaries gathered on the morning of Saturday, September 2nd, to officially open the newly rebuilt National Animal Welfare Bedfordshire Centre.
Following a public appeal for funding, the site has been transformed with some of most dilapidated buildings demolished and replaced with modern catteries and dog kennels.
The brand-new facilities will improve the experience for the animals on site and make it easier for the volunteers and the animal care team to help cats and dogs find loving new homes.
Chief Executive Rob Mitchell said: “Today is a true milestone in the history of the rehoming centre here in Aspley Guise. The new modern cattery and kennels enable us to give the homeless animals even better care while also improving the working conditions for our team and our wonderful volunteers, without whom we couldn’t do what we do.
“None this would have happened without the continued support and help from our friends and supporters, many of whom live locally. On behalf of the National Animal Welfare Trust, we’d like to say a very heartfelt thank you.”
Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg, MBE, was invited to cut the ribbon. Commenting on her visit, she said: “These new modern buildings - the kennels and the catteries - have replaced some very dilapidated shelters, and it must be such a dream come true. The animals coming here will be well cared for.”
An animal rehoming service has been running in the Milton Keynes area for just over 50 years and in that time has helped thousands of homeless dogs, cats and rabbits.
The new buildings will help the centre to carry on rehoming thousands of pets in the future.
If you’d like to know more about the centre and it’s work, click here.
The centre re-opening coincided with the charity’s annual summer fete and fun dog show. Visitors came along on Saturday afternoon to enjoy live music, play games, and watch or enter their pooches in the dog show.
