Much loved Paws and Claws back in business after years of hard work and fundraising

Michael Warren

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After years of hard work the Paws and Claws refuge and boarding centre in Craiglie is now open. Chris Barber (pictured) has been appointed to manage the centre. Picture: Michael Warren

IT’s taken years of blood, sweat and toil but surrendered or abandoned cats and dogs, those seeking new forever homes and others that in the interim simply need a place to rest their tired eyes or weary paws while their owners are away finally have new temporary digs to call home.

The recent soft opening of the Paws and Claws refuge and boarding centre in Craiglie on August 8 was years in the making following the 2016 closure of the previous local rescue and boarding facility centre due to redevelopment.

The new animal rescue, adoption and boarding facility which has a no kill policy is just rewards, among others, for those involved with the Homeless Animal society and Boarding Kennels Inc who did a host of fundraising to ensure the project eventually became a reality.

With new digs comes a new manager and no one is more suited to the role than Chris Barber who brings a wealth of experience to the position.

“I first worked with dogs and boarding kennels when I was 14 in Brisbane and since that time I’ve always worked with animals or in the hospitality industry,” he explained.

“As time went on I worked in Canada for a number of years as a dog sled guide where I looked after and cared for around 186 huskies.

“Later on I also worked in Sweden in a job where I had around 60 dogs in my care.

“I love working with animals and feel proud to be the facility manager here at the centre.”

The centre can provide accommodation for up to 38 dogs, which includes room for 20 boarding dogs and 18 other positions for surrendered or abandoned pooches and those looking for a new long-term home.

Just weeks into its new life, the centre is already quite busy.

The option to board dogs opened last Wednesday, and as it stands close to half of the kennels are already booked out throughout the September school holidays. There is also a cattery onsite to house displaced cats.

In addition, Mr Barber confirmed slots for the Christmas school holidays are also slowly starting to book out as well.

"It's wonderful to see the facility finally open, it's taken nearly five years to get to this point," proud president of the Homeless Animal Society Michael Kerr said.

"A huge thanks goes out to the Douglas Shire Community for their unwavering support of this project, because without that backing the new centre wouldn't have been possible. 

"I also want to acknowledge and mention the Cairns Animal Welfare group, they worked tirelessly for so long to make this become a reality as well."

The new centre’s construction also wouldn’t have been possible without assistance from the State and Federal governments, Homeless Animal Society and Boarding Kennels Inc and other generous help from numerous different stakeholders.

A grand opening to officially mark the opening of the new centre will take place in the coming weeks or months.

Anyone interested in being a dog walker for Douglas Paws and Claws are invited to express their interest at www.pawsandclaws.org.au.

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