Ribbon Cutting moment at Dogs Trust Ballymena with Owen Sharp, Holly Hamilton, staff and dog Belle
The team and canine residents at Dogs Trust Ballymena enjoyed a celebratory atmosphere this week as the recently renovated centre was officially reopened by Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, and BBC presenter and journalist Holly Hamilton.
A host of guests joined the celebrations to mark the happy event to reveal the centre’s redevelopment, which has transformed the 55-year-old facilities into a world-class centre incorporating the latest advances in kennel design and dog welfare.
Over 10,000 dogs have been rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed at Dogs Trust Ballymena rehoming centre since it first opened its doors in 1970.
Dogs Trust Chief Executive Owen Sharp and Holly Hamilton with Ernie at Dogs Trust Ballymena
However, Dogs Trust has made significant advances in the design of rehoming centres since then, so whilst the Dogs Trust Ballymena facilities were functional, they became less suitable for the dogs now coming into the charity's care with some having behavioural problems and anxieties.
Thanks to a major two-phase redevelopment project, which began in January 2022 and was completed in July 2024, the team at Dogs Trust Ballymena will now be able to have an even greater impact on the lives of rescue dogs in the Northern Ireland.
Dogs Trust Chief Executive Owen Sharp with dog Belle and Holly Hamilton at Dogs Trust Ballymena
The centre now boasts:
• 41 newly designed kennels – all with underfloor heating
• The kennels include 20 intake kennels, 14 rehoming ‘on-view’ kennels and three kennels dedicated for dogs that require extra training and behavioural support
• A puppy unit – with four whelping kennels for pregnant mums and their puppies – all with their own individual mini gardens
• Over 20 individual off-lead compound areas with a variety of surfaces and enrichment equipment – for improved exercise and enrichment
• Two large off lead fields for exercise and playtime
• A new stand-alone vet consult room, with upgraded facilities and space
• Upgraded reception area, staff room and offices
• Solar panels on the centres roof
• Air source heat pumps that are highly sustainable and dramatically reduce our carbon paw print
Conor O'Kane, Manager of Dogs Trust Ballymena and Holly Hamilton bury time capsule
Speaking at the re-opening event Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, said:
“The expansion and redevelopment of Dogs Trust Ballymena will be invaluable in allowing us to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome more dogs in Northern Ireland, 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 puppy unit, and off-lead exercise areas are making to the lives of our dogs. It has been fantastic today to officially reopen the rehoming centre while saying thank you to all our dedicated staff and supporters who have made this day possible.”
The charity has shared videos of the redevelopment for supporters to see - phase one:
And phase two:
To find out more about the dogs currently looking for their forever home at Dogs Trust Ballymena, tap here.