FELIXSTOWE: Animal charity chiefs today made an urgent plea to landowners who may have a site they can sell to create a new Blue Cross centre.
They are looking for one to five acres on the Felixstowe peninsula and want to build a modern, state-of-the-art shelter to care for cats and dogs and possibly other pets, too.
The charity had been hoping to stay at its premises in Walton High Street, Felixstowe, following the successful campaign, led by The Evening Star, to save it from closure.
A �1million appeal was started with the aim to expand and refurbish the site, but now that will have to pay for a move and a new-build instead.
Suffolk County Council rejected the offer to buy land behind the site – needed for an exercise area as the current centre is very restricted – because it says plans for a new school academy for the town would “require all the land available at the Orwell High School site”.
Andrew Gillon, manager of The Blue Cross animal adoption centre, said: “We do understand the council’s position but it is disappointing that we can’t buy this land, as it is vital to provide the animal welfare facilities that we so badly need to stay on this site.
“So despite our best efforts, we’ll now need to renew our search for another location for the centre and double our fundraising efforts to raise enough money for the move.
“A new location will give us the opportunity to extend our welfare services to other areas in Suffolk”
Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton said: “Earlier this year we committed to staying in this area for animals in need after being overwhelmed by support from the public.
“We now need their help again to find a new site for the centre, after exhausting our options with land around the current centre.
“But the most important thing is that there will still be a Blue Cross centre nearby for animals that need our help in Felixstowe and the surrounding areas.”
The current centre will continue to operate as usual during this time, until further notice.
? If you know of a suitable location contact The Blue Cross on 0300 790 9903.
? What do you think of the county council’s refusal to sell the land? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or e-mail evening starletters@eveningstar.co.uk
? Opinion – page 6
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