Dogs in lap of luxury at new shelter

PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail

TAKING SHELTER: Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne cuts the ribbon to open the new dog shelter yesterday.

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Spice the afghan hound and Molly the golden retriever-poodle-cross were the centre of attention at the opening of the Tasman District Council's new dog shelter yesterday.

The two dogs had a ribbon tied between their two collars, which was snipped by Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne to mark the opening of the new Beach Rd shelter.

About 30 people, including council representatives, members of the public and dog-control officers inspected the clean and tidy concrete premises and shared afternoon tea.

Molly and Spice, owned by council regulatory staff, were the most fortunate dogs present at the opening, with the other six waiting in their new cages after being lost, straying or being dumped.

The dogs should be warm and happy, however, with the $250,000 shelter featuring underfloor heating and plenty of room for exercising. It has 12 dog pens, a puppy pen, and two isolation pens for diseased dogs.

The shelter also has internet access to post dog details on the council's website, an examination room for dogs and a kitchen containing a fridge donated by Tasman District councillor Trevor Norriss.

The old shelter was a collection of old cages which had poor security, only enough room for 10 dogs and were hard to keep clean. The shelter had existed since about the 1950s, said council dog-control officer John Bergman, who is also an SPCA welfare inspector.

Dogs had been put in the new shelter before its opening date because they had been looking longingly over at the new building, Mr Bergman joked.

He said three of the dogs were up for adoption, including two border-collie-crosses and a huntaway cross.

Mr Kempthorne thanked the people who had worked on the building and donated materials for its construction.

The Motueka SPCA had also donated dog beds and blankets, he said.

Mr Kempthorne thanked Mr Bergman for his work and his accomplishment in being named the national dog-control officer of the year by the New Zealand Institute of Animal Control Officers. "He has a great way with dogs and their owners," Mr Kempthorne said.