JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: RODNEY DISTRICT COUNCIL AND NORTH SHORE CITY COUNCIL

20 July 2009

Northern Animal Shelter open for business

From today - Monday 20 July - the new Northern Animal shelter in Silverdale is open for business, housing impounded dogs from North Shore City and Rodney District.

Last week, some final sitework was completed and the new operator moved Rodney District’s impounded dogs from Redvale and North Shore’s impounded dogs from Waitakere.

North Shore City Council environmental protection team leader Warwick Robertson says that apart from having a shorter trip to collect their impounded animals, North Shore residents will not notice any difference in dog control services.

“The council animal control team will continue to manage dogs in our city; the only difference will be that dogs will be impounded at Silverdale rather than in Waitakere.”

From now on, anyone enquiring about a missing dog should look on the North Shore City Council website, and contact the council 24-hour Actionline on 09 486 8600. Rodney residents should continue to contact the Council's call centre on 0800 426 5169.

The animal shelter can be contacted direct on 09 4210222 (a toll call from North Shore) during the following hours: weekdays 130 pm - 4.30 pm and weekends 10 am - 12 noon

The Northern Animal Shelter is managed on behalf of both councils by Animal Control Services Ltd. Governing Director Ken Muir has 35 years experience in this business.

Mr Robertson says that the new shelter will provide a secure long-term and cost-effective dog impoundment facility which is easily accessible to residents of Rodney and the North Shore.

Negotiations for an appropriate business arrangement between the Councils for the establishment of a joint animal shelter facility have been under way since 2005, he says.

“As neighbours, it makes excellent sense for our two councils to work together to build and operate the shelter.”

Wayne Knightbridge, Rodney District Council’s Animal Control Manager, says that since the new shelter is a combined use facility, the capital building and yearly operating costs will be shared, which will reduce the costs to both Councils.

“We are looking forward to being able to provide a modern, secure animal shelter which will be conveniently located for Rodney residents,” he says.

The complex will house up to 40 dogs with room for expansion if this becomes necessary in the future.

The facility will be similar to the award winning combined Manukau City and Papakura District Animal Shelter at Wiri in South Auckland. It was built by Watts and Hughes Construction.

It is planned to be a one-stop-shop service where owners can pay impoundment fees and recover their dogs without having to go to a council office.

There are about 14, 500 registered dogs in North Shore City. Between 500 and 600 stray dogs are picked up per year. In Rodney, there are 14,500 registered dogs and 430 strays are picked up.

There will be a formal opening ceremony and dawn blessing for the Northern Animal Shelter on 20 August.

ENDS

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