Man’s best friend gets a house upgrade

ANIMALS waiting for their forever home at Lismore City Council’s Animal Care Facility will now have a nicer place to stay while they wait to be adopted after a $375,000 upgrade.

Located at the Recycling & Recovery Centre, what was previously called the pound had become run down and a rather depressing place for both animals and staff, Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said.

“The upgraded facility, which we are renaming council’s Animal Care Facility, is an incredible improvement to what was there previously,” he said.

“Some may say, ‘they are only dogs, why spend the money’.

“My response is that dogs are man’s and woman’s best friend and deserve to be treated with care and respect.”

Work was carried out in six stages and included a new Colourbond shed to house the refurbished cattery, service/food preparation area and office, refurbished dog kennels and exercise area, a new fit-out of the main office and the installation of a new dog wash bay.

The upgrade was funded under the State Government’s Local Government Recovery Grants (Floods) – Highly Impacted Councils – Companion Animals Support program.

The council gave Animal Rights and Rescue $10,000 from the overall grant total to upgrade its facilities.

Lismore MP and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin welcomed the NSW Government’s investment to upgrade the facility, which is located in East Lismore.

“This is such a worthwhile project and another example of the NSW Government and council working together for what is a much-improved community facility,” Ms Saffin said.

“It is a major boost for everyone who loves and cares for our companion animals.

“I’m also glad that the Animal Rights and Rescue Group in South Lismore received $10,000 of the grant total towards new animal enclosures.”