Better Environment Coming for Impounded Dogs

Renovations are coming soon for the New Plymouth dog pound.

In August work will start on the first stage of a project to upgrade the pound on Rifle Range Road.

“It’s an old facility that’s in real need of an upgrade,” says Manager Regulatory Services Simon Pickford. “We’ll be making it a much better place for dogs, customers and staff.

“As well as giving the dogs a better environment, we’ll also increase the pound’s capacity.

“Right now we often have more dogs than available space so we end up having two dogs to a cage, which isn’t ideal: Being impounded is stressful enough for a dog without having to share a relatively small cage with an unfamiliar dog.”

The pound, built about 20 years ago, has 26 pens. Forty new pens will be built – half coming in stage one – which, along with a revamp of the existing cage area, will result in a total of 55 pens at the pound once the project is completed.

This first stage will also include an upgraded sewer system, a new high-security fence, additional parking and improved public access to the site. A shared outdoor exercise area will be built, as currently the dogs stay in their cages all day.

Stage one is due for completion by Christmas.

Stage two, due in 2015, will complete the additional pens as well as provide suitable space for visiting veterinarians, and an area for high-needs dogs, and food preparation and storage areas.

Tenders for stage one will be advertised this week.