The Dogs’ Refuge Home in Shenton Park, WA, is set to receive a $2.3 million grant from Lotterywest for a major redevelopment.
The upgrades will transform the five-acre property and overhaul facilities with a new puppy education and adoption centre, with birthing rooms and accessible community engagement spaces, an upgraded adoption meeting yard and lounge, decompression kennels, heritage hub and visitors centre, and an agility training yard for enriching exercise and behavioural and obedience training.
Hannah Beazley, Local Government Minister, said this significant grant, along with a $500,000 Animal Welfare Grant from the Cook Government, is going to give these dogs the best chance of finding their forever homes.
“Dogs’ Refuge Home volunteers and staff do an amazing job caring for and rehoming rescued and surrendered dogs and puppies.
“The team currently cares for more than 1,500 dogs each year, with demand continuing to rise as more dogs are surrendered or rescued due to cost-of-living challenges.
“The project will also transform the working environment for volunteers, so they can continue the ‘pawsome’ work they do for the four-legged friends in their care.”
The upgrades will deliver higher welfare standards, by creating a calm, safe and welcoming space for dogs and puppies as well as their prospective owners. The redevelopment will adopt best practice dog welfare and handling principles.
Robyn Slater, General Manager of Dogs’ Refuge Home, said they are proud to be frugal at the Dogs’ Refuge Home and invest every dollar donated to them back into the dogs.
“We operate at an enormous loss every year so projects like this would simply not be possible without the support of Lotterywest, or those who generously remember us in their wills.
“We are overjoyed to be able to improve our home for both the dogs and the community of dog lovers that volunteer here every single day. Come rain or shine.”
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