AN ANIMAL shelter has opened a new centre with funding from a dog food company’s charity scheme.

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary officially opened its new dog assessment centre thanks to a £15,000 grant from Pedigree and Whiskas Brighter Futures.

The Edenfield sanctuary was awarded the grant last year and has now completed building the centre.

Previously, assessments had to be carried out in reception but now there is a self-contained unit, thanks to the grant, where dogs can attend and be assessed and also meet prospective owners in a contained environment.

Andrew Winfrow, from sponsors Mars/Pedigree, said: “We believe that every dog and cat should have a happy, loving home.

“That is why we’re committed to providing rescue centres across the country with grants to give them a better chance of finding that forever loving home.”

Bleakholt’s chair of trustees Vicki Appleton said: “This unit will mean there is a private place to assess dogs who come into Bleakholt about their rehabilitation needs. It will be a place where owners can meet prospective new dogs and also a handover place for dogs to leave Bleakholt and join loving families.

“We can’t thank Pedigree and Whiskas enough for this grant.”

Bleakholt vice president and soap star Gemma Atkinson said: “It’s superb that Pedigree and Whiskas have given this grant to Bleakholt and it will make a huge difference.

“Bleakholt is run solely on donations and so substantial sums for specific projects like this are vital to us.”