Animal shelter Sydney Dogs and Cats Home steps up campaign to stop closure
Staff from Sydney Dogs and Cats Home have stepped up a campaign to keep their shelter from closing, after the land they lease was put up for redevelopment.
Sydney Dogs and Cats Home at Carlton in the city's south houses 3,000 animals each year.
The shelter has leased its land for more than 70 years, servicing nine local councils including Randwick, Botany and Marrickville.
The no-kill shelter is one of the few in Sydney that continue to house animals up until they find a home — no matter how long that may take.
With redevelopment plans in the works, the not-for-profit centre needs to relocate but has yet to secure an alternative site.
The shelter's fundraising campaign has received close to $1 million for relocation costs and the construction of a new centre, and they are now calling on the State Government for assistance.
It has been a week since staff sent a letter to Premier Mike Baird, asking him to consider giving them a plot of Crown land.
Rescued dogs and shelter staff were in Martin Place this morning, attempting to secure 10,000 signatures on a petition to serve to the Premier.
So far the campaign has gathered 6,000 signatures and today raised $4,000.
General Manager Claire Garth said the shelter had been in talks with the Government for 12 months, but with the prospect of only four week's notice to vacate, it is now operating on borrowed time.
"The sad reality for us is that time's actually running out, so we're looking for the Government to accelerate our cause," she said.
Speaking in Gosford, Mr Baird today said the Government would look into options of how he could assist.
"If there's an opportunity to help, we're very keen to do so," he said.
Ms Garth said the centre was experiencing a growing demand for their services, with southwest Sydney animal shelter Renbury Farm to cease operations.
Ms Garth said Sydney Dogs and Cats Home had already been approached by four councils — Liverpool, Fairfield, Bankstown and Camden — previously covered by Renbury Farm.
"We've now got a waiting list, basically, for councils wanting to use our services," she said.
"There's a real shortage of people that do the work that we do."
Fundraising Manager Amanda Stokes hopes to achieve the shelter's campaign target of $3 million which would see a tripling of their capacity, including a vet clinic, by 2020.
"If more members of the community know the great work that we do, we're very sure that we're going to achieve that goal," she said.
Charmaine Asplet adopted rescue dog, Gracie, a month ago and said the new family member is already have a big impact.
"She just brightens our day every day," said Ms Asplet.
"She's fun, she's cheeky, but she's cuddly and loving. She's the perfect package for us, for our family."