Very Impawtant Pooches!

TOP team (from left): Michael Waugh, Sarah Robinson, Joanne Whitehead, Emila Martin and Liam Wallace

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ANIMAL rescue charity Pennine Pen had an open day to show off its new kennels. Robbie MacDonald went to pat some dogs...

ANIMAL rescue charity Pennine Pen has officially unveiled its new kennels with an open day for friends and supporters.

The Oldham charity’s new facilities at its Honeywell Lane rescue centre in Hathershaw offer better accommodation for unwanted or abandoned dogs, cats and rabbits.

Visitors had a chance to tour the new set-up and meet a range of animals needing new homes. Pennine Pen is currently caring for nine dogs, 30 cats and 12 rabbits.

One dog, Jack Russell Spencer, has spent all 10 years of his life in kennels.

Staff member Joanne Whitehead from Royton said: “Spencer is a lovely little dog. He’s spent a long time in kennels, which is such a shame. He would be great little dog for someone.

“Jack Russells are hardy little dogs and can live to 18 years. So Spencer may well have plenty more years in him yet. He just needs a good home.”

A larger dog was chocolate-brown Staffordshire-cross Bruce. Bruce has spent five years in kennels but is good with people. He needs a home with no other pets, and ideally two 30-minute walks a day.

Joanne, who is a former Counthill School pupil, explained: “Most of the animals here come from individuals and families who cannot keep them for various reasons.

“Some have been inherited from other animal rescue organisations or come from boarding kennels, for example. Some of the dogs were born in kennels and have spent their whole lives in kennels of one kind or another, which is sad. We have a couple at the moment which have spent 11 or 13 years respectively in kennels. They are lovely animals and just need the right environment.”

Natalie Downs, secretary of the charity’s committee, said: “The open day was an opportunity to launch the new kennels to the public and supporters The upgrade has cost just under £68,000, which is a lot of money.”

The kennels now have more space and better lighting and heating. A number of the kennels have access to outside runs.

The charity also highlighted the support it gets from volunteers.

Lindsay Shelley, from Oldham, is one who has helped for over two years: “The new kennels are fantastic. We will now be able to take in more needy animals and get them the homes they need. This is just what we’ve been waiting for.”