At-risk dog rehoming centre to become foster hub

A dog rehoming centre has avoided a planned closure under a major restructuring at the UK's biggest dog welfare charity.

Dogs Trust, which employs 1,765 staff across the UK and cares for more than 11,000 dogs every year, announced its proposals in March, putting an estimated 300 jobs at risk.

The rehoming centre in Newbury, Berkshire, would have been shut as part of the plans but will now be turned into a dedicated foster centre.

The charity said there would also be "at least 290 redeployment opportunities" nationwide, minimising redundancies.

The announcement came after a 45-day collective consultation with staff about the proposed restructuring.

Dogs Trust confirmed 307 roles would be at risk of redundancy now, adding: "However, to achieve the new strategic ambitions, there will be at least 290 redeployment opportunities, which will minimise redundancies."

Rehoming centres at Bridgend in Wales and Ilfracombe, Devon, would also become fostering hubs.

The charity said it would also stop puppy and adolescent dog school classes, instead providing support through an "integrated digital and in-person behaviour service".

The service means it could help 57,000 dogs a year by 2026, it said.

The new strategy would also enable Dogs Trust to help 27% more dogs by 2027, said the charity, by reducing the time dogs spend in its care and expanding its foster care and homestay programme.

Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust CEO, said it had listened "carefully" to staff and volunteers and was "ready to move to the next stage".

He said: "Dogs Trust needs to evolve its operations to meet the challenges of the current environment and to increase our impact.

"These changes will enable Dogs Trust to help even more dogs in the UK and around the world, while ensuring our financial sustainability in the long term."

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