New home hope for animal rescue centre

A SEVEN-YEAR search for premises to house a rescue centre could be reaching an end for an Oldham animal charity.

Pennine Pen Animal Rescue runs a fundraising shop in Ashton Road, Hathershaw, and has been looking for somewhere bigger so it can expand its work.

And it is a case of fingers crossed as it waits for the seal of approval from council planners to open a rescue centre at the former disability resource centre in Honeywell Lane, Hathershaw.

Manager and founder Michael Waugh said: “We have a cattery upstairs at the shop, but there is little room for anything else and we have been looking for somewhere to open a rescue centre for years. It’s hard to find somewhere suitable, but hopefully we will get planning permission for a new headquarters and we will soon be able to take in a few more animals.”

Pennine Pen takes in and rehomes small animals, from cats and dogs to chickens, rabbits and ferrets.

Its rescue dogs are currently cared for in foster homes until permanent homes can be found for them.

Michael said: “We like to look after our dogs in a home environment, it’s less stressful for them.

“If we get permission for the new headquarters and rescue centre, they will be able to potter about with us during the day, have a garden to go out in and stay at the centre overnight.”

The Ashton Road shop will remain open to raise much needed cash to pay for veterinary fees and day-to-day running costs, and items are always needed to sell.

The rescue centre is also appealing for people to donate £1 during the month of October. Donations can be handed in to the shop at 394 Ashton Road, Hathershaw, to the Dog and Duck in St Domingo Street, Oldham, or Tameside veterinary clinic at 341 Oldham Road, Ashton.

Tomorrow, fundraisers will go on a fancy-dress pub crawl in Oldham town centre, starting off at the Tommyfield and ending at the Dog and Duck.

For more details about the rescue centre or to help with fundraising, telephone 0161-621 0819.