 |
Above: Part of the dog garden, a covered outdoor area used for daytime play.
Below: Paddling or soaking pools, and some soil and bark for rolling in. - All photos by Winkie Spears |
 |
 |
Above: Baskets of straw and soft beds to rest in complement the toys and treats in the indoor-outdoor cages.
Below: One of the rooms in the dogs house. |
 |
 |
Above: Another area in the dogs house.
Below: The covered outdoor sleeping area - the dogs are free to roam there at night. |
 |
 |
Above: Outdoor cage for play. The dogs can go indoors through a dog door in the wall.
Below: Dining area in the dogs house. |
 |
 |
Above: Hill with toys and stable in the dogs paddock.
Below: The lower side of the dogs paddock with toys and tyres. |
 |
I WAS lucky enough recently to have the opportunity to view a new style of animal shelter - Millstream, in Manchester, UK. It had been a boarding kennel some years previously, and the construction of the cubicles bore witness to the very restricted existence of the animal clients. They were at that time tiny - only large enough to hold a dog basket, water bowl and some extra room to move around in and eat a meal, but that was it.
Then the boarding kennel closed down and the buildings became a shelter - and now the residents never had it so good!
Millstream has been a registered charity since 1990. Membership is open to the public and is only £5 per year, so if any readers want to become involved or give their support in any way, just phone: 0161 683 4194 (UK).
The group I was with was shown over the shelter starting with the cats area. New cats are put into caged areas for the first few months, but after that, if they have not been claimed or found a home, they are allowed to roam freely in the office and the cat room, the open cages and in a portion of the yard.
Currently there are about 100 cats, 20 dogs, a few rabbits and guinea pigs, and three pygmy goats at the shelter. The goats have a goat shed that is warm and cosy and a paddock of their own. No animal is ever euthanised at Millstream unless it is incurably ill and suffering.
To reach the dogs' area there is a double door system - in case one of the cats slips through it can be put back into its own area before the inner door is opened. Proceeding through, the viewer comes into a day area for the dogs - the dog garden - with shrubs and plants, outdoor furniture and kennels, toys and other interesting things for dogs to play in or on - straw, boxes, paddling pools, dog baskets, soft toys and many other innovations. Leading off this area is another indoor-outdoor area that is used for nights. The former cubicles now have no doors - they house lounge chairs or baskets and the concrete floor is heated when required. The dogs can choose their own bed here, in the indoor area or they can go to the covered outdoor area if they prefer to sleep among the shrubs and toys in an igloo or kennel or even a basket of straw. The choice is theirs. In this area the roof is constantly hosed to simulate rain - it keeps any of the cats off the lower roof area as well as dulling the nearby traffic noise and it is also soothing for the dogs (rain on the roof has the same effect on humans I am sure).
In the second area the cubicles have been opened up and three cubicles with their walls knocked out form one room. These rooms do have doors, but they also have "hole in the wall" access to an even larger play area. The dogs go to their outdoor area to play or sit in the sun, or they go inside for some peace and quiet whenever they want to. The indoor areas again have lounge chairs or couches, baskets, fresh water, chew toys and play toys, and the outdoor areas concentrate on toys and a variety of objects to play in, on, or with. Soothing music is constantly played for the dogs in this area, and some have obvious preferences.
A third living area is mainly for long-term dogs and ones who get along well together. They have developed their own hierarchy and they have a "house" that contains two large living rooms with open sleeping cubicles on one side and utility rooms for the shelter on the other side.
The bedrooms allow the dogs the choice of baskets or human beds. Or they can sleep on the lounge furniture if they prefer. There is a bathroom with hand held shower, and a grooming table. The utility areas are the laundry, store room, food preparation, and toilet area. The whole house has carpet, lights throughout and underfloor heating plus heat lamps if required. Pictures on the wall and ornaments, pot plants, mobiles, and plenty of stuffed toys and chew toys complete the picture. These dogs really have the perfect environment.
They do not go for walks but they have a hillside paddock that is theirs to run and play in whenever the weather is suitable. It is well fenced for their safety and contains a stable - this has hay and even horse poo for them to roll in if they feel so inclined - long and short grass with plenty of places to hide, blackberries along the fenceline (some like to nibble at these when ripe), a few trees and shrubs, outdoor furniture and childrens toys to jump over and play on. This paddock leads down into their indoor-outdoor day area so they can go back there whenever they feel like rest.
Viewing times for the public are: Cats, 12 noon to 4pm daily; Dogs: 12 noon to 3pm every day except Wednesday and Thursday. The dogs are given two "quiet days" every week where they are not subjected to strangers viewing them.
Millstream has a charity shop at 190 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyme, open daily except Sunday 11am-4pm. It also holds two open days every year - the Summer Fair in June and the Christmas Fair in November. Goods for sale in the shop or at either fair are always very much appreciated, as are items for use at the shelter such as sheets and blankets, dog or cat food, carpet or suitable furniture, stuffed toys, kongs, food bowls, or chew toys.
Volunteers are always welcome there, as are students looking for work experience - this is the right kind of experience for anyone contemplating a career involving the care of small animals. I hope that all readers who have the opportunity will visit this shelter at some time in the future. - Liz Peters
