New Isolation Block Project 2011

This week (Monday 8th February) has seen the commencement of our vision of the new isolation kennel block and paddocks, where we are converting the old "chicken house" to use for the nursing care of newly neutered and any sick hounds. We are very grateful to PETS AT HOME and the Welfare Fund of the GREAT BRITISH GREYHOUND BOARD for the grants they have given us to get the work started, the hounds should have a wonderful facility when all is done. Any shortfall in funds will be made up from general funds, so if you are in a position to make a donation it would be gratefully received - contact the kennel staff on 01922 412212.

(above) Kay and Phil with a couple of kennel hounds pick up the grant cheque at Pets at Home Cannock, they have kindly donated a sizeable chunk towards the new isolation block, for which we are very grateful.

The Kennel Staff and volunteers have been hard at work for some time clearing out all the accumulated bits and bobs that have built up in the chicken house since the family moved into the farm a while back. The two photos above show Andy doing his bit!

(below) Rob can be seen on his digger moving the pile of ash from the old bonfire and this has disappeared (buried over by the pool!).

(above) We have had fencing panels all around which will mean they can be used when the field is being used for walking or free running without the hounds getting agitated.

(above) We now have a bonfire pit and although Kay can be seen in it, we have no plans to throw in anything but rubbish! Better not upset the kennel staff.....!!!

(above and below) New drains are in place and slabs for easy cleaning. A path has been created for where the door will be knocked through.

(above) We will not be ordering the paddock sides until we get the internal kennels made up, but we are hoping for 4 paddocks in the space created.

(above) Brian the builder with his big hammer knocking the door through.

(above) The new door is covered for the night in the empty chicken house.

(above) The skip is starting to fill with the builders rubble and the door way is covered to protect from the rain.

(above) The builder has knocked the new door through from the chicken house into the new paddock area and the new door can be seen here on its way to being fitted. This wall can be seen behind Andy in the first couple of photos on this page.

(above) Here is the new bonfire pit with some of the discarded contents of the old chicken house.

(above) The beginning of the pile for the scrap man.

(above) Paul begins to paint the roof with bitumen.  We have re used the old roofing panels and the previous nail holes need sealing.

(above) Brian checking progress of roof painting so far.

(above) Rain has stopped so more roof painting, but Paul is a bit near the edge now!

(above) The thick insulation being put in place.  Look at our shiny new red door!

(above) Keep going guys; there is piles more insulating to do.  Let's have a brew?

(above) The old paint needs to be removed from the walls ready for the damp proof paint to be applied.

(above) The sky lights have been put back up to make the kennel block lighter, together with the thick white insulation.

(above) Sparky Will begins to sort the electrics. Old wires everywhere need to be replaced.

(above) Will moves the sockets and runs new cable.

(above) Happy chappie, nearly finished. Just giving us more sockets down the other end.

(above) The old damp patches being scrubbed down with bleach by Pete.

(above) Paul and stephen pointing the back outside wall.

(above) Terry begins to prepare the windows with undercoat.

(above) The drainage ditch behind the kennel is cleared as the pointing continues.

(above) The windows get attention.

(above) The kennel door is sound, just needs to be smartened up.

(above) Terry concreting the old gulleys in the Isolation kennels.

(above) Steve, Alf and Phil who are measuring the doorway in preparation of the new internal steel door.

(above) Andy starts to put the old metal kennel beds into the holiday kennels.

(above) Pete puts the new white boards on the wall to record dogs into the Isolation Unit.

(above) Alf and geoff start to put the indoor kennel together.

(above) The new sign which means no more 'chicken house! Also seen is the new internal metal door which will close to as soon as anyone goes in. No escaping hounds!

(above) Main rehoming block sign..........very posh with the new RGT logo.

(above) Pete has cut the new beds ready for the Isolation kennel beds.

(above) The outside IU paddocks. They will never be this clean and shiny ever again!

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