The final major works to Manchester Dogs’ Home are now complete – four years after a devastating fire ravaged the building and killed 60 animals.
The brand new centre cost £1.6m to build and has 28 dogs who are looking to find new forever homes with families.
The home suffered a huge loss after a horrific fire ravaged the building in September 2014 which killed dozens of dogs in a suspected arson attack.
A handler pictured with a rescue dog. The final major works at the Manchester Dogs’ Home is complete after a devastating fire
Irene the dog enjoys the new home: The building was ravaged by fire in 2014 which killed 60 dogs in a suspected arson attack
The brand new centre cost £1.6m to build and has 28 dogs looking for a forever home
Jason Dyer, his son Danny Vere, and Dean Rostock risked their own lives by running into the flames and pulling dogs out as fire raged through the home on Thursday night.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested less than an hour after police were alerted to the blaze.
Hundreds of people turned out for an emotional memorial service in the wake of the fire held for the dogs that died in the blaze.
A fund was set up to help rebuild the home that soared to nearly £1.5million in the days following the fire, boosted by a pledge of £25,000 from X Factor guru Simon Cowell.
The new centre contains a reception and an atrium area (pictured) with seats where visitors can relax or ‘meet-and-greet’ the dogs
A memorial garden funded by RBS has also been built on the site with plans for another
A fund was set up to help rebuild the home that soared to nearly £1.5million in the days following the fire
Cowell, a renowned dog lover, not only promised to write a large cheque for the appeal, but also vowed to take the three men who rescued the surviving dogs from the blaze on a luxury holiday.
The brand new centre contains a reception and an atrium area with seats where visitors can relax or ‘meet-and-greet’ the dogs and 32 kennels.
A memorial garden funded by RBS has also been built on the site and there are plans for another similar tribute to be created in the future.
Devastating aftermath pictured of the building following the arson attack on the dogs’ home
Hundreds of people turned out for an emotional memorial service in the wake of the fire held for the dogs that died in the blaze
Fire ripped through the home (pictured) – three men risked their lives to run through the flames to rescue the dogs
Steve Mapley, 46, took over the management of the home shortly after the devastating fire and said the blaze ‘devastated’ the home.
He said: ‘It was completely devastating.
‘It was something I never want to go through again and wouldn’t want anyone to experience.
Plans are in place to create compound areas containing toys and other facilities so the dogs have room to play outside
Steve Mapley, who took over management of the home, said the fire was ‘devastating’
‘The fire completely destroyed our adoption centre but we were able to save some of the stray blocks.
‘We have been able to relocate some of the dogs into the stray blocks on a temporary basis since the fire but it is brilliant to have the new building.
‘We can never replace the dogs that we lost but this can stand as a monument and legacy for them.’
There are now plans in place to create compound areas containing toys and other facilities so the dogs have room to play outside.
Mr Mapley added: ‘The response from the public has helped us to keep going.
‘We are now hoping to secure further fundraising for a compound area to be built outside.
Mr Mapley says the overwhelming response from the public has ‘helped keep us going’