Hamilton's newest exercise in co-operation takes shape. The front building houses the administration arms of both the SPCA and Hamilton City's animal control. Behind that is the veterinary and stores building and on the left is part of the council's kennel block.

HAMILTON City Council is proceeding with construction of the new Animal Control Centre, a project unique in New Zealand from both a co-operation aspect and for building style. The total budget for the project is $1.1 million.

The centre is a first in the country in that it houses the council animal control centre and the SPCA in a single facility. This does not mean that either of these operatives will lose their own special identity, but rather that they will operate from the same base to offer better, more efficient service and can work together if, or when, required.

The administration building will house the offices of both the SPCA and the City Pound, and between the two will be situated a shared education room.

It is envisaged that the education facilities will hold promotions and special focus days for children, run talks and videos on specific subjects, speak to community groups and be able to inform the public on by-laws and any other matter related to animal care and welfare.

Sponsors are sought for all aspects of the educational activities, so if there is anyone out there able to offer sponsorship, do contact animal control at the Hamilton City Council. Occupation of the new premises will be before the official opening to be held at a date yet to be set in July.

Features of the facility include a quarantine area, a high standard of security fencing, large-size kennels so that dogs can exercise in them during bad weather, 10 fenced and screened exercise yards, a separate yard for puppies, and the puppy kennels have heat pads built into the platform bed to keep the puppies warm when necessary.

Over-all the standard of building materials is high - extra durability is required in some areas. The landscaping and site works is exceptional.

The new facility means that over-all welfare and care of animals will be significantly better. The animal centre has been designed as an open-plan concept, meaning that in fine weather dogs will be able to sleep outside if they want to. The kennel area will be able to be kept predominantly dry in all weather conditions.

The increased number of exercise yards means that dogs can get more frequent exercise, helping them to be calmer and more even-tempered. Aggressive dogs will more easily be kept separate from the others and safety handling such dogs will be maximised by the layout of the centre, which has been designed for minimal handling, making it better for the dogs and putting dog handlers less at risk.

The new centre is an up-to-the-minute facility, which the community can be proud of. It signals a new era in the way animal welfare is handled by local bodies, and a new concept in separate but co-operative development of animal welfare services.

It can be expected that the facility will be monitored carefully by local bodies nationwide and hopefully copied.

It is a sad fact of life that many dogs have short-term or longer stays as guests of either the pound or the SPCA and for some of them, incarceration follows a time of continual abuse. They could not themselves choose a better place for 'time out' while their future is assessed.