Work few weeks away for Paws & Claws new home
ANIMAL SHELTER
Work on the $1.5 million animal shelter, which will house 38 dogs for rescue and boarding, and will have the ability to hold cat communities as well, is just weeks away.
It will be located at 6-8 Teamsters Close, Craiglie.
A statement from Homeless Animal Society and Boarding Kennels Inc. said, architect Danny Vos and various consultants have been working in the background ensuring that the design will match the conditions of the development application along with the best practice needs of the animals that it will house.
Association president Michael Kerr said: “We are so happy that all the hard work from the committee and the support from the community is now paying off. Without the support that we have received from the State Government, Federal Government, Cairns Animal Welfare and the very generous local input we would never have reached this goal.”
A project that has been beset with challenges as it tried to stay afloat on rocky waters, it endured a councillor voting against the shelter’s location; a petition signed by Craiglie business owners to scupper plans for the shelter; and threats to these businesses only re-enforced Kerr’s commitment to get this done.
“At times we didn’t know if we were ever going to get there, we were knocked back from so many properties and then faced a hefty legal bill securing the current site.
“A lot of work has gone into this project to ensure that it will be nothing like the previous property and obviously comply with the conditions that have been placed on it,” said Kerr.
The Homeless Animal Society and Boarding Kennels inc., which has continued to fund raise through its charity shop in Mossman and various fundraising events, has expressed its gratitude to the Douglas community for its patience and continuing contributions.