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......to make Winter more comfortable
Dec 29 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News
THE only remaining local authority-run dog pound in Merseyside is appealing for kind-hearted tradesmen, volunteer labourers and donations to help make this winter cosier for residents.

Birkenhead Kennels is one of only a handful of its type left in the country, and while the council remains committed to the facility and staff work extremely hard on the animals’ behalf, the Victorian-era building has seen better days.

Housing a maximum of 36 dogs, the kennels respond to calls about strays from the public, as well as taking in those discovered on regular patrols by its team of wardens.

Often in a poor state, the dogs are nursed back to health through a combination of regular food and water, warmth and shelter, as well as love and care, before being micro-chipped.

The aim is to rehome as many as possible, and no stray dog is turned away.

But with finances tight and the authority under no statutory obligation to provide the facility, a group of Wirral animal lovers decided they would do what they could to help.

In May, a petition was launched, accumulating 4,000 signatures by October, and prompting Wirral Council to allocate almost £6,000 from community grants for the newly formed Friends of Birkenhead Kennels’ use.

But so far quotes for much-needed flooring, tile work and other improvements have come in way over budget.

The Friends’ Antje Tucker said: “The isolation block, where the dogs are washed and they do the micro-chipping, or when they try to give birth, is in desperate need of re-tiling.

“The flooring in the main kennel block also needs to be done.

“What we are also looking for is people who can provide perhaps three days labour to do this work and also, maybe, donations of the material which is used for the flooring.

“It’s a rubber solution which is applied and then takes a week or two to set.”

And even if you don’t have time, skills or materials to offer, there’s still plenty you can do to help.

Kennels staff are always looking for donations of dry dog food brand Dr John Silver, or any canned food, comfy dog beds, blankets, toys and chews, as well as a new industrial sized washer/dryer.

Antje, who has rehomed two kennel dogs herself, said: “The staff work so hard and put all sorts of hours in, it’s just heart-breaking.”

To offer support, you can call the kennels directly on 0151 647 8799, or contact the Friends of Birkenhead Kennels on Facebook

http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-...-winter-more-comfortable-80491-27896818/

Hi Tilly, my name is Antje Tucker and it was our group "friends of Birkenhead Council Kennels" that generated that article. The amount of feedback we had was AMAZING! We are now at a point where we are running out of storage space lol, so many people have gone there to donate bedding, food and so on. At the moment we are ecouraging people to join our facebook group, just search for "friends of birkenhead council kennels" and join if you can. We are still looking for people who are willing to help behind the scenes, we are also in the process to form a commity and becoming a charity. There will be fund raising events and so on. Currently we are also looking for someone who could help us setting a proper website up, as well as someone who could help us to repair our proffessional xerox phaser printer. If anyone got any questions they can email us on [email protected] or message us through the facebook wall. Take care and thank you for mentioning this on the forum.

Hi Antje
I used to be involved a lot with the facebook group and the dog pound appeal, but had a disagreement with the other person that set up the facebook group. I post bits and bobs about the pound but thats as far as it goes with me now unfortunatly.
good luck with everything you are doing hun the dogs are doing far better with you behind them
Karen Mills. x

Hi Karen,
just to let you know that we have another article in the wirral news tomorrow and the week after! Keep your fingers crossed.
Antje x

I look forward to reading your piece in the news.

Brilliant Antje look forward to that