A FLAGSHIP animal rescue shelter has taken in its first residents since a £1.5m redevelopment.

The Blue Cross has spent more than a year modernising its rehoming centre in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Work on the site, in Parklands, near Alanbrooke Barracks, has finished and the first animals were admitted last week.

The scheme included the rebuilding of the kennel block.

Pregnant animals and new-borns are now cared for in a puppy and kitten unit.

To prevent the spread of diseases such as kennel cough, which has caused problems in the past, an isolation block has been built for sick animals.

A play barn has also been created, so animals can be exercised in all weather.

Caroline Thompson, the centre’s deputy manager, said the new facilities had been planned for some time, and a variety of fundraising projects were organised to pay for the work.

“We really needed to do something and we have wanted to act for a long time,” she said.

“Before, we could not always house animals in comfortable and stressfree areas, which we can do now. Hopefully, it’ll mean them been rehomed quicker.

“Most of the money for the work has come from fundraising and it’s been quite a shock watching the level of money rise.

“The new centre is better for the animals and the staff and we’re really pleased with it.”

The Topcliffe centre opened in 1987 when the Blue Cross took over a number of run-down buildings, some of which dated back to the Second World War when they were used by the RAF.

Part of the site was created by converting boarding kennels and by building a cattery and reception in 1999.

The centre deals mainly with dogs and cats, but will take in other animals if needed. It deals with cases from across North Yorkshire and as far afield as Teesside and Leeds.