Our major redevelopments
We re-opened our doors after a major redevelopment.
Over 18,000 dogs have been rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed at Dogs Trust Darlington since we first opened our doors in May 1994. Since then, our rehoming centres have come a long way, and it was time to bring the Darlington facilities up-to-date.
Thanks to a major two-phase redevelopment project, which began in June 2018 and was completed in February 2021, we'll now be able to have an even greater impact on the lives of rescue dogs in the North East.
Take a tour of Dogs Trust Darlington!
The centre now boasts:
- A hydrotherapy pool and underwater treadmill – the only Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in the country to have a hydrotherapy pool which is 8000L and heated. Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy have many benefits for the canine residents
- 77 kennels - all with underfloor heating
- Two new intake blocks – where dogs arrive and are assessed when they first come into Dogs Trust care
- A Star block – a dedicated Specialist Training and Rehabilitation block – one of only four Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres to have such a specialist facility. Here dogs are provided with a quiet, private space where specialist behavioural staff can work with them on an individual basis to overcome their anxieties and fears, helping them learn the skills needed to cope with everyday life in a loving forever home.
- A fully equipped veterinary suite
- Stimulating outdoor exercise areas with sand and water features and different play equipment and surfaces
- A refurbished training barn – where Dog School runs weekly dog training classes and 121 sessions for local dog owners – helping dogs and owners build a lifelong bond based on positive reward-based training
- Upgraded reception area, staff room and offices
- Solar panels on the centres roof.
The expansion and redevelopment of Darlington Rehoming Centre will be invaluable in allowing us to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome more dogs in the North East, particularly dogs with behavioural issues, which is the number one reason dogs come into our care. We have already witnessed the difference the new kennel design; Specialist Training and Rehabilitation (STaR) block and hydrotherapy pool are making to the lives of our rescue dogs. It has been truly fantastic today to officially re-open the centre while saying thank you to all our dedicated staff and supporters who have made this day possible.
Owen Sharp, Our CEO
Special thanks were given to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for generously funding £900,000 towards rebuild costs, and to Petplan Charitable Trust and W G Harvey’s Discretionary Settlement for their kind support in funding new facilities at Darlington Rehoming Centre.
Adopt a dog
Thinking of offering a fur-ever home to one of our dogs? That's great! Browse our four-legged residents to find your paw-fect match and start your rehoming journey today.
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