Rugby star Sam Warburton was on hand to help open a brand new Rescue Hotel Health Centre at Cardiff Dogs Home.
Volunteers, staff, friends of the home and most importantly, lots and lots of dogs turned out in big numbers, hiding under in coats and under gazebos to dodge the forecast rain, which somehow dodged the event.
Warburton, who is an ambassador for the charity made an appearance to cut the red ribbon on Saturday and explained in a previous fundraising video how his family had rescued dogs from Cardiff Dogs Home in the past.
He said: “When I was asked what I wanted to do when I finished playing, one of the things I always said was I wanted to help the local dogs home.
“The dogs in here all deserve a good life and I really want to play a part in that.”
The facility on the same site as the kennels, on Penarth Road in Cardiff, will offer onsite veterinary care for all of the dogs who sadly find themselves at Cardiff Dogs Home each year as well as offering affordable basic healthcare to the community for their dogs.
Treatments available include spaying for £175, castration at £100, vaccinations for £25 and dentistry costing from £150 to £350 depending on the amount of work needed.
A statement on Cardiff Dogs Home Facebook page said: “Our aim is to improve the health and welfare of the less fortunate dogs in Wales at a fraction of the price.”
The Rescue Hotel is a sister charity attached to Cardiff Dogs Home, which raises money for all the work done by the kennels. It was formed in 2019 by a small group of volunteer dog walkers from the home.
Money raised goes towards food, toys, veterinary care, training classes and any required building improvements with the most recent project sponsored by Admiral, Battersea, Petplan and Denise Dibbs..
