DOGS TRUST LEEDS CELEBRATES TEN YEARS

Wagging Tales

Dogs Trust Leeds is celebrating ten years of finding forever homes for dogs who have been abandoned or found themselves having to leave behind everything they’ve ever known.
The Rehoming Centre opened on York Road on September 27 2006 and has since gone on to find dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds loving homes for life.
Since throwing open its doors to the public, the centre has found almost 12,000 dogs their ideal homes with Jack Russell Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Collies and Labradors following Crossbreeds as the most popular breeds to have headed off to enjoy a lifetime of love.
Amanda Sands, Rehoming Centre Manager, says: “The years have flown by and the support we have had from across Yorkshire and beyond has been incredible.
“Dogs so often find themselves homeless through no fault of their own. It might be a break up of a relationship, loss of a job meaning someone can no longer afford to look after their dog or of course sadly, illness or death of an owner.
“Whatever the reason they come to us, they all deserve a second chance and even now after all this time and the thousands we have seen leave the centre with their new owners, tails wagging, it still tugs at the heart strings. That’s what you call true job satisfaction!”
Dogs Trust’s presence in Leeds began in the early 1980’s, when the charity was still known as the National Canine Defence League (NCDL). Its site at Adel was privately owned and in 1987 the owner gave permission to build 32 kennels and for Dogs Trust to run the centre.
Sadly, the increasing numbers of stray and abandoned dogs had been climbing in the Yorkshire region with nearly 6,000 found in the region in 2005. As demand unfortunately looked set to continue to increase, the charity decided it needed new facilities and more space to give all the dogs that found themselves without a home, the best possible care.
Set in 34 acres on the site of a former farm, the York Road Centre, made possible through the generosity of supporters as the charity receives no government funding, heralded a new era in animal rescue.

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STATE OF THE ART DESIGN
The centre’s 58 kennels have glass fronts, dramatically reducing noise and stress whilst allowing visitors to approach and interact with the dog through specially positioned ‘sniffer holes’. Each kennel has underfloor heating, indoor accommodation as well as an outdoor run area and the kennel blocks are designed to make sure that no dog looks out of its kennel onto another dog, a feature which further creates a calm environment.
Amanda says: “Even today, people are often still surprised by how welcoming and peaceful the centre is. The aim was to create a relaxed atmosphere for the dogs but also for visitors who are hoping to adopt a dog so that with our help they can take their time to find the right dog for them in a stress-free environment. I’m proud to say I think we succeeded!”
When the dogs aren’t relaxing in their kennels, they are out and about on site which has securely enclosed paddocks with agility equipment where they can burn off some of their energy and play and take part in training with their canine carers.
The centre also has a veterinary suite where routine veterinary work and neutering is undertaken eliminating the need for stressful trips off site and a grooming parlour, which was needed more than ever when Lhasa Apso, Womble, arrived.
“Poor Womble arrived with almost a kilogram of matted fur covering his eyes and mouth,” remembers Amanda. “It was the worst case of matted fur we’d ever seen and we had to sedate him in order to shave him. He was beautiful and we were delighted when he found a new home.”
Other dogs that are particularly memorable for the team include eight Labrador Cross puppies found dumped in two banana boxes, five poodles found living in a cramped shed under a speedboat, the 12-week-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross found as a stray and affectionately nicknamed “Wonky” by the team because she had knuckled front legs as a result of contracted flexor tendons and Lurcher Woody who was found tied to a tree with a broken leg, earlier this year.
Amanda says: “It is always wonderful to find that special someone for any dog but when they have had a really tough start in life, are poorly or have just been abandoned on the streets, it is even more special.
“To know they are heading off to a world full of love with owners who are going to give them everything they need – a comfy sofa, fantastic days out, training to be the best they can be – it’s wonderful.
“Without the support of the dog-loving public, our volunteers and everyone who supports our events, none of it would be possible so we’d like to say a huge thank you and if you’ve not managed to visit us yet, we can’t wait to see you!”
You can visit Dogs Trust Leeds at Woodlands Farm, York Road, Leeds, LS15 4NL. It is open Friday-Monday 12pm-4pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm-7.30pm and closed Wednesdays. You can also find out more at www.dogstrust.org.uk

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