The sun came out and there were many warm smiles at Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre, as the charity celebrated the opening of a brand new on-site adoption facility on Friday 22nd April 2022.

The new Adoption Hub will provide space in which potential adopters can meet their new pets in a calm, welcoming environment, and gain support to help the animals with behavioural issues and other factors which have in the past proven a barrier to finding a forever loving home.

The charity has been providing a rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming centre for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals since 1979. The celebration was attended by the Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher and MP for Sefton Central, Bill Esterson.

The Mayor said:

“Already you have protected the lives of over 90,000 animals and saved them from unnecessary fear or suffering. What would have become of them without you? Your work, and this hub, is a much-needed reminder of the good that there is in the world and here in our local community”.

The Mayor performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting in the doorway of the Hub, where guests enjoyed refreshments, toured the facility and perused the gallery of photos paying tribute to some of the 90,000 creatures who have been cared for by Freshfields over the last 44 years.

Bill Esterson MP remarked:

“3 million EXTRA pets were adopted during lockdown, and many are already being brought to rescue centres as their owners’ circumstances change and they can no longer cope with caring for their animals

That’s why this project is such a vital resource to the people of Sefton in tackling the issues on the ground and being there for the people as well as the animals”.

Helen Stanbury, Director of Freshfields, said:

“Our promise at Freshfields is that there will be No Animal Left Behind. Staying true to these values brings challenges. We’ve long known that there are some dogs who remain with us for much longer than others.

That’s why we’re here today. In the Adoption Hub, we’ll deliver targeted behavioural interventions to profoundly impact the life chances of these animals. When we go through this door behind me today, we’re taking a big step towards renewing our commitment to the animals who need us most.

Helen thanked the Pets At Home Foundation, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dickinson Parker Hill Solicitors and the Doreen Greenlees Charitable Foundation for their confidence, belief and financial support in bringing this project to life. Helen paid tribute to Freshfields’ dedicated donors, volunteers and supporters, some of whom were here today.

This project will change thousands of lives. It’s a new chapter for us, and we couldn’t be more thankful to all of you for helping us to make sure that at Freshfields, there will be No Animal Left Behind.”

Laura Ladusans, Architect; Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher, Chair of Freshfields Jane Young; Bill Esterson MP, Laura Messenger, Pets at Home Foundation, Margaret Evans, Volunteer, and Missy, her adopted Freshfields dog.