Blacktown City Council has celebrated the launch of its new world-class animal rehoming centre at Glendenning.
Council says the recently completed Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) design was based on extensive national and international research and is the largest council facility of its type in the southern hemisphere.
Animal Services Australasia CEO, Mark Slater describes BARC as “a cracking new facility.”
Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM said: “This is a one-stop shop for domestic animal welfare in Western Sydney. Blacktown City Council is providing a home for good at BARC.”
At the new facility, potential pet adopters are taken through a unique concierge-based process as part of Council efforts to change perceptions about adopting animals that are impounded and need rehoming.
“We knew that Council’s former Animal Holding Facility had passed its use-by date. In designing BARC, Blacktown City has changed the way animal facilities are designed and operated,” said Mayor Bleasdale.
“Everything we do seeks to improve the rehoming rates for pets. We know that building BARC is the right thing, and we are using best-practice methods to ensure BARC works for local families,” he said.
The Mayor said the facility’s design is benchmarked against world’s best practice in animal welfare.
He said the BARC buildings have improved on the traditional design for animal rehoming facilities, providing a secure and transparent environment for animals, with clear circulation, ‘homely’ viewing rooms for potential adoptions and a function area for educational events.
“BARC is as modern and as a good a facility as you will find this side of California. We are committed to best quality animal care, and to animal rehoming. Our commitment means that Council has fully funded this $36 million project. BARC is built to last,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
BARC contains 135 dog kennels, 230 cat ‘condos’ and livestock and poultry areas for other
animals waiting to be rehomed.
There is even a Council library, so those who adopt a pet can choose to take one of the many new pet-related books from the display library in the BARC foyer.
There’s also a veterinary clinic onsite, which is operated in conjunction with veterinary hospitals and provides education and training for students at Western Sydney University and Richmond TAFE.
Mayor Bleasdale said BARC also had the capacity to engage with other local councils to assist them with their animal welfare needs.
