Loughborough
Centre Opening
We are delighted to confirm that the centre is due to be open to the public on the 1st of June! We'll include more details for the centre as soon as we can. In the meantime, do take a look below at some snaps from March which show how building is progressing.
Meet the Team
Hello! Here are some of the people you'll be meeting when you come and visit this summer.
(Left to right):
Nico - Training and Behaviour Advisor
Annie - Veterinary Nurse
Nikki - Centre Manager
Nick - Assistant Manager, Operations
Claire - Assistant Manager, Admin
Lucy - Training and Behaviour Advisor
Volunteering at Dogs Trust Loughborough
Anyone interested in volunteering, please drop us a line here. Please include your name and your preferred contact email address if you're not using it to send the message. You'll be added to our database and we'll get back to you nearer to the time the centre opens.
What to expect from Dogs Trust Loughborough
The new Rehoming Project at Loughborough has been registered with The Considerate Constructors Scheme which is an industry initiative set up to improve the image of construction. Registered sites have to comply with the schemes site code of considerate practice.
The code consists of the following eight sections which take into account, The Environment, Consideration, Cleanliness, Being a Good Neighbour, Respectful, Safety, Responsible and Accountable. These key areas are aimed to focus on the construction site being a better neighbour and to cause as little inconvenience as possible to those who may come into contact with the project's construction.
We plan to have the main buildings certified as ‘outstanding’ examples of sustainable buildings under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) criteria (eco-friendly). It won’t cost any more to build in this way than it would a traditional rehoming centre but, by designing with sustainability in mind, it will be much cheaper to run – meaning more of our funds can be used to save dogs.
The green features included are:
- PassivHaus construction standards are being adopted for the rehoming block. PassivHaus buildings are the worlds leading standard in energy efficient construction and achieve exceptionally low running costs.
- Photovoltaic panels on the rehoming building will generate enough energy for the building to function making it completely carbon neutral.
- Grass roofs with seeded with wild grass and flowers, will provide excellent thermal insulation as well as encouraging wildlife.
- A biomass boiler will provide heat the water for the underfloor heating as well as providing all the hot water the centre needs. The fuel crops (Willow) used for the boiler will be grown locally and the oxygen produced while they grow will offset the carbon dioxide produced when the pellets are burnt.
- Rainwater harvesting and water recycling will produce all the water needed to keep the kennels clean.
- All kennels will be solar shaded to ensure they do not overheat in the summer.
Other key features:
Puppy and Whelping accommodation
A bespoke facility for the whelping and post-delivery care of bitches and early litters. Whelping kennels tend to be bigger than an average kennel to allow as much comfort for mum and pups as possible
Training hall
This clear-span space will be used regularly for individual behavioural training of dogs but principally for hosting group training and socialisation classes to the local community. New owners (not necessarily of Dogs Trust dogs) can attend classes in the early evening leading to an award of the ‘Good Citizen Dog Scheme’. Promotion of and taking action on responsible dog ownership is one of the fundamental activities of Dogs Trust and these classes form a major element of our community support work.
Veterinary examination facilities and operating suite
This facility will be used daily to carry out our initial health checks of dogs arriving at the Centre. The suite is also used to perform routine surgery on dogs and principle neutering operations – all Dogs Trust dogs are neutered and micro-chipped prior to going to their new home. Before, the inclusion of veterinary suites at our rehoming centres, which are now standard, all such procedures involved transportation to and from off-site private veterinary practices. The introduction of this facility allows us to treat dogs quickly whilst greatly reducing their levels of stress.
New Training & Behaviour Building
The success of the TBA (Training and Behaviour Advisor) and their work relies on the creation of a stress free environment for the dogs. The aim is for the dogs to experience regular and reliable routines, which they can expect to experience in their new homes. The building is sited remotely from the main kennels to avoid any external disturbances that would compromise this preparatory training work.
STAR Unit (Specialist Training and Rehabilitation)
Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog so inevitably some of the dogs who come into the rehoming centre will not be suitable for rehoming in the short-term and will therefore require long-term care. The STAR Building will provide dedicated rehabilitation and training facilities where individual behavioural programmes can be administered and assessed by the resident TBA. There will be kennels with attached recreational exercise areas. Once dogs have successfully completed their dedicated training programme, the hope is that they can be transferred to the main Rehoming Building. Those small numbers of dogs who cannot be made available for rehoming will be cared for, long-term, at the neighbouring ‘Sanctuary’.
Sanctuary Unit
This will be a large outdoor area with extensive environmental enrichment for dogs who are likely to be living at the Centre for an extended period and prefer not to live with people. This large secure field with shelter allows dogs to roam and form natural relationships within the group, as well as living a life free of the stresses with which they have shown they cannot cope. They are fed and health-checked regularly and have ongoing human interaction with two dedicated carers.
How you can help
As we receive no government funds, Dogs Trust is totally reliant upon the generosity of dog lovers in order to build our new centre. Any donations received will help us reduce numbers of stray and abandoned dogs, saving the lives of an extra 1,000 dogs every year that would otherwise tragically be put to sleep in the East Midlands. In addition, any support will enable us to further promote Dogs Trust’s key message of Responsible Dog Ownership in local communities in and around the East Midlands.