Australia's largest animal refuge facility would include cat condos and a wing dedicated to housing the pets of domestic violence victims if a Sydney council gets its way.
Blacktown City Council says its ambitious blueprint for a state-of-the-art facility would help save lost, stray and abandoned animals from 15 neighbouring municipalities.
The centre would cost about $15 million, and also have a 24-hour veterinary hospital and dedicated greyhound rehoming program.
The boarding facility, which would care for the pets of people fleeing domestic violence, has also been welcomed.
"I applaud council's proposal ... this will be powerful and practical assistance to many women and families at a moment of crisis when they are at their most vulnerable and desperately need practical support," said Moo Baulch, CEO of Domestic Violence New South Wales.
Superintendent Gary Merryweather, from the NSW Police, said the number of people who stayed in, or delayed leaving volatile relationships because of pets was "substantial".
"One of the big things they're concerned about is their children, and their pets," he said.
"Obviously if they leave their pets behind and they're in a volatile and aggressive relationship, they know those pets are going to be used against them."
Earlier this year, the organisers of a domestic violence program in Victoria said searching for suitable pet accommodation could mean women and children had to stay in high-risk and violent homes for longer.
Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali is seeking New South Wales Government support to build the facility, which would be built on a site at Glendenning.
"All councils are facing the dilemma of ageing animal holding facilities and new stricter State Government animal welfare regulations that very few council facilities could comply with," Cr Bali said.
"Many will have to rebuild their existing 'pound' facilities. Blacktown is offering to take the problem off their hands.
"With our new centre we could accept the dogs and cats from around a quarter of metropolitan Sydney."
The plans will include 200 dog kennels and 180 "cat condos", used by animals waiting for homes.
This article was written by Riley Stuart and has been copied from here.
Blacktown City Council says its ambitious blueprint for a state-of-the-art facility would help save lost, stray and abandoned animals from 15 neighbouring municipalities.
The centre would cost about $15 million, and also have a 24-hour veterinary hospital and dedicated greyhound rehoming program.
The boarding facility, which would care for the pets of people fleeing domestic violence, has also been welcomed.
"I applaud council's proposal ... this will be powerful and practical assistance to many women and families at a moment of crisis when they are at their most vulnerable and desperately need practical support," said Moo Baulch, CEO of Domestic Violence New South Wales.
Superintendent Gary Merryweather, from the NSW Police, said the number of people who stayed in, or delayed leaving volatile relationships because of pets was "substantial".
"One of the big things they're concerned about is their children, and their pets," he said.
"Obviously if they leave their pets behind and they're in a volatile and aggressive relationship, they know those pets are going to be used against them."
Earlier this year, the organisers of a domestic violence program in Victoria said searching for suitable pet accommodation could mean women and children had to stay in high-risk and violent homes for longer.
Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali is seeking New South Wales Government support to build the facility, which would be built on a site at Glendenning.
"All councils are facing the dilemma of ageing animal holding facilities and new stricter State Government animal welfare regulations that very few council facilities could comply with," Cr Bali said.
"Many will have to rebuild their existing 'pound' facilities. Blacktown is offering to take the problem off their hands.
"With our new centre we could accept the dogs and cats from around a quarter of metropolitan Sydney."
The plans will include 200 dog kennels and 180 "cat condos", used by animals waiting for homes.
This article was written by Riley Stuart and has been copied from here.
