Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th May 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

UK's first 'transportable' rehoming centre set to open
kittens
Should demand change, the rehoming centre's internal structure can be relocated to another urban area. (file photo)
Innovative centre will allow cat charity to adapt to demand

Cats Protection is taking an innovative approach to rehoming with the UK's first 'transportable' rehoming centre, which will allow the charity to respond to changing demands and target the areas most in need of help.

The first of these flexible rehoming centres is due to open in Mitcham, south-west London and the model will be rolled out to other locations in the next five years.

"We did comprehensive research to determine where demand for a centre is at its highest and Mitcham, along with neighbouring areas, fits the bill," explained Guy Chadwick, development manager for the charity's eastern England centres.

Should demand in the area drop at a later date, the centre's internal structure can be relocated to another area.

“We want to make sure as many urban cats as possible can find new, loving homes and have adapted our building programme accordingly," Mr Chadwick added.

"London is diverse and ever-evolving and our aim is to react to change and go to areas where our help is needed the most - and do this as efficiently as we can."

As well as allowing the charity to adapt to demand, the innovative project has saved hundreds of thousands of pounds, costing just a fifth of the price of building a regular rehoming centre.

It is formed of a series of modular units that will house modern, spacious pens. The units are being built off-site and will be transported and slotted in to the 7,500 square foot site in Mitcham this summer.

Due to open to the public in July, the centre hopes to rehome 50 cats a month.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.