AN animal shelter near Royston is to have a £500,000 rebuild just two years after it nearly closed. The Wood Green Animal Shelter at Heydon will begin the project in the next three to four years. Chief executive Dennis Baker said: We will have more moder

AN animal shelter near Royston is to have a £500,000 rebuild just two years after it nearly closed.

The Wood Green Animal Shelter at Heydon will begin the project in the next three to four years.

Chief executive Dennis Baker said: "We will have more modern accommodation to provide better welfare, better animal care and better rehoming while sticking with the number of animals we have got.

"We don't want to lose the ambiance."

Commenting on the closure of the shelter which nearly happened due to a lack of funds, Mr Baker said: "The year after we were looking to close we had a good year which allowed us to keep it open. Fund-raising work is continuing to go well and the work the staff at the Heydon shelter are doing is great.

"We're never going to have as much money as we want but we have got enough to take us forward into the future and we have decided to invest more in fundraising."

To mark National Pet Month (April 7-May 7) the shelter will be holding a series of fund-raising events to promote responsible pet ownership and make people aware of the benefits of pets.

On April 21-22 the shelter will be holding a pet advice weekend from 10am-4pm.

During the course of the weekend pet owners will be able to get information and ask questions about looking after their pets. And there will also be a hands on healer and a cat behavourist on hand.

On April 22, there will be a sponsored dog walk from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Anyone who cannot take part in the walk but would like to make a contribution to the shelter can sponsor Buddy, owned by Gay Baxter, the manager of the Heydon shelter.

The shelter's most recent donation is a £1,250 sit-on lawn mower which it received from Wrights Mower Centre in Shepreth.

Owner John Wright has been supporting the shelter for more than 15 years. He said: "The shelter is always so appreciative of any support."

- For more information about any of the events call 08701 909099 or visit www.woodgreen.org.uk