Doggone! It's 25 years for Telford kennels

They've cared for and rehomed more than 25,000 dogs – and a Shropshire kennels says it has never been busier as it marks its 25th anniversary.

Dedicated staff at Hilbrae Dog Kennels in Cold Hatton have celebrated a quarter of a century caring for rescue dogs in Telford.

During its time the kennels has also become the stray dog pound for Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.

Leanne Breeze from Hilbrae Dogs Kennels, Cold Hatton, with Howie who is looking for a new home. Howie is a young Staffy cross. When he arrived at Hilbrae he had pancreatitis. At the time he was very poorly but is now fully recovered and brilliant with adults and children. The staff at Hilbrae say he is a very loving dog.

Staff today spoke of the challenges they face as unwanted and stray dog numbers soar, and how the type of dog they receive has changed over the years.

Dedicated owner Marty Burrell first started the kennels with her late husband James, and is still heavily involved with its running today.

She said: "We've enjoyed it – the dogs are never a problem.

"Sometimes we've had dogs come in in very bad condition. It is so sad when there is absolutely nothing you can do for them and it really does spoil your week. But that's only ever happened very rarely.

"We've had quite a few cases where dogs have come in pregnant so we've had the pleasure of raising puppies.

"It is a hectic, 24-7 job, but we all love doing it. It is not the sort of job you can do as just a job, we're committed people, who absolutely love dogs.

"The girls here are brilliant, they take dogs home with them if they need to. They come in early if they know there's a problem, they give all the dogs the extra care that they need. It's a life. We've got lots of other animals, not just dogs. It's a mad place."

Over the years, Mrs Burrell said one of the changes she has seen is in the breed of dogs being brought in. She said: "When we first opened it was all collies and German shepherds, then there was a short time when it was rottweilers.

"Now it is all Staffordshire bull terriers and Staffy cross breeds. Ninety-nine per cent of them are lovely, but you do get some that have been wound up by owners who haven't trained them or haven't done anything with them."

Hilbrae gained international recognition after Bulley, one of the Staffordshire Bull Terriers who had lived at the kennels for nine years, became the star of its blog.

Bulley gained world-wide fame with his own blog, documenting his life at the kennels and his quest for a new home.

He was subsequently adopted and now lives in the USA with his new owner.

Etta is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is around six or seven-years-old. She is brilliant in a home environment and is great with people, but needs to be the only pet in an adult household.

The kennels can comfortably accommodate 60 dogs at the site – but, in recent times has been stretched to look after 90.

And the constant drive to find new homes for the animals keeps staff at the kennels busy, with any tactic being used to highlight the plight of the dogs.

Mrs Burrell said: "We put them on Facebook, on our website, anything that we can to get them homes."

The kennels also allows people who love dogs, but are not in the situation to give one a home the chance to come and walk its residents. "They get all the benefit and no expense," said Mrs Burrell.

"It is really important for us to socialise the dogs."

And after 25 years, during which time the kennels has been given charitable status, Hilbrae shows no signs of giving up its hard work.

Mrs Burrell is now helped by her son Peter. "Hopefully it will all carry on in the family," she said.

"We wouldn't have been as successful as we have been without our army of helpers, dog walkers and fundraisers.

"I can't tell them how much we appreciate their support."

Hilbrae Pets Hotel is in Cold Hatton, Telford. It can be contacted on 01952 541254, or at www.hilbrae.co.uk