Pets' Corner: New meet and greet centre at Danaher now open
The ribbon is cut on the new Danaher Meet and Greet and Education Centre at Wethersfield by chair of trustees Richard Lord (centre) and long-term volunteer Maz Edwards. Pictured with them are Maisie Garvey and Sam Garvey. - Credit: Layla McIlveen
Danaher Animal Home near Wethersfield has opened a new Meet and Greet and education centre.
The home, which cares for around 500 dogs and cats each year as well as a variety of smaller animals, also has a focus on education – promoting kindness to all animals and helping improve standards of animal welfare.
Danaher Animal Home CEO Deborah Satchell (centre), outside the new Meet and Greet/Education Centre with Rebecca Peters and Leah Beales as building work was in progress. - Credit: Alison Dewar
The new building cost around £100,000, and was paid for largely through legacy donations. It helps the charity in several ways.
It provides a safe and secure indoor area where families can meet dogs they are keen to adopt and introduce them to any other animals in the family.
It also acts as an event space for activities, such as the upcoming Christmas Craft Fair that sells treats for animals as well as their owners on Sunday December 5 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
And the centre is also used for education, for talks, presentations and training activities with families, schools, colleges, universities, community groups and businesses.
CEO Deborah Satchell said of the new centre: “This is a great addition to the Home and we are so grateful to everyone who contributed in helping bring this to fruition.
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“Having a multi-use space enables us to get more involved with local businesses, which is great for their corporate social responsibility programmes.
"We want to do more with local community groups and schools as part of our education goal to promote animal welfare.”
Danaher Animal Home's new centre is put to use for the first time by hosting a thank you afternoon tea for volunteers and staff - Credit: Layla McIlveen
One of the first events for the newly opened centre was to host an afternoon tea for volunteers.
It has also hosted a team from the animal behaviour course at Anglia Ruskin University, who kindly donated £250.
Average annual running costs for the charity are around £800,000 and, although the charity comes under the auspices of the RSPCA, it is entirely self-funding.
Danaher’s six charity shops – including one in Dunmow – make a major contribution alongside events and other activities.
But Deborah said they hope that by using the building for education activities and a community and business outreach programme, it can boost fundraising still further.
To find out more, visit www.danaheranimalhome.org.uk or call 0300 111 4321.
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