When I began work at council as a health officer more than 30 years ago, my duties at the time often took me to the Animal Management Centre in Queens Road.
It was a pretty spartan place.
There were a few old buildings, the pound pens were very basic, and the surrounds were unsealed which meant dust blew everywhere on windy days.
For a long time, not a lot changed.
Until now.
This week sees the opening of the first two stages of a very impressive three-stage redevelopment of the facility.
I had the opportunity to take a guided tour last week through the new Customer Service area and the new world-class cattery.
Having seen what it was, and what’s there now, it truly blew my mind away.
Our city is home to more than 60,000 registered cats and dogs and residents often ask me what their pet registration pays for.
The answer is these amazing new facilities which will serve us for decades to come.
The spacious Customer Service Centre has three separate service points and is designed to be accessible for all with streamlined workflow for easier customer interactions and improved security for staff.
But it was the world-class new cattery that really caught my eye.
It’s like five-star feline accommodation, with expert medical care on hand if needed.
There are individual multi-level pens with each enclosure vented out through the ceiling to reduce the risk of any cross contamination while also helping eliminate the odours that come with keep multiple numbers of cats in the one area.
And for those moggies that want to stretch their legs, there’s a fully enclosed large outdoor area while nearby is the new cat sales area where those interested in adopting a pet can interact with cats before making their choice.
I’m told the new dog sales building and vet clinic, which are part of the next stage of the upgrade, will be just as impressive.
The other thing that is impressive at the AMC is the dedicated and caring work done by the council officers who genuinely care for every animal that comes into the facility, for whatever reason.
Some have worked there long enough to remember the ageing facilities like I do, and I am delighted for them, as well as all the AMC staff, that they are moving into new top-class facilities.
With works continuing on the remaining stages of the upgrade, temporary access is in place to the new AMC Customer Service Centre.
From this week, entry to the facility moves from the existing gate (across the road from Meakin Park) to about 150 metres around the corner on Queens Road (towards Loganlea Road).
Operating hours remain unchanged: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.
