New animal welfare centre opens doors

Operations director Denise McCabe of RSPCA Bury, Oldham and District branch said the new building is awe-inspiring.

OLDHAMERS have been invited to see behind the scenes at the borough's new RSPCA complex.

The long wait is finally over for staff and animals at Bury, Oldham and District RSPCA as their new purpose-built Strinesdale centre officially opens on Sunday.

As part of the celebrations, residents are invited to "have a nosey" inside the £1.7million site and to meet the current adoptees between noon and 4pm.

Operations director Denise McCabe, who has been involved with the build from the start, said: "This has been an awe-inspiring journey.

"From a cold November day in 2014, when we wondered if we could really make this something special, to February, 2017, when we finally got the keys, this has been a huge transformation.

"There is no comparison between our new building and the old re-homing centre at Rhodes Bank.

"This is an opportunity to see behind the scenes before we are up and running. It is for people to come and have a nose."

Deputy Mayor of Oldham Councillor Shadab Qumer will cut the ribbon at midday to mark the official opening to the public, with refreshments to follow.

Visitors are then invited to view the animal accommodation, speak with staff, see the operation theatre and step inside the new shop.

While the dog kennels won't be open on the day, free access will be granted to the cattery where there are 20 cats currently looking for new homes.

The project has been in the making since Emmanuel Whittaker began work at the Holgate Street site in February, 2016.

But the RSPCA emphasised that none of this would have been possible without the kind donations from the public.

Denise said: "It is all down to people coming into our charity shops and donating money or items that we have been able to build this centre. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us."

Early this year Oldham-based chartered surveyors Breakey & Nuttall launched a £50,000 Challenge to help raise funds for the cause.

Glenn Drake-Owen, of Breakey & Nuttall, said: "We are delighted to see the centre open.

"We know it has been a long, stressful and disruptive process for the RSPCA, which started with their original site being compulsory purchased.

"To see them settled in a fabulous new building is terrific, and it is heart-warming to know they are now in a great position to help the animals of our community."

Around £30,000 is still required to complete the exterior and install carpets in community and training rooms as well as other finishing touches.

To donate visit www.rspca-buryoldham.org.uk/help-us-build-our-animal-centre/.