THE woman in charge of an animal rescue service in Basingstoke has thanked the public who helped transform its new premises into a working community shop. 

Helping Dogs and Cats is currently based at Hart House, in Priestly Road, but was looking for a new premises with more space to move to.  

The non-profit animal rescue operates in Berkshire, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey, rescuing dogs, cats and other small animals. Its work includes rehoming and rehabilitation, veterinary care, microchipping, spraying and neutering. 

The shelter was offered a premises in a Basingstoke shopping centre and was desperately looking to raise funds to pay six-month rent, along with vet bills. 

READ MORE: Helping Dogs and Cats to move into new premises

However, founder Kirsty Wrightson said that because of higher demand, the community interest company (CIC) has since been forced to find somewhere else and will be moving to Feathers Lane in the town centre. 

The CIC appealed for help to transform the new site, which was in poor condition and needed painting, shelving and new flooring. 

Now, thanks to help from the public, the new community shop, which includes an animal foodbank, is ready to open on Saturday, October 7 from 10am. All money raised from the shop goes straight back to the rescue centre. 

The public can visit to learn more about how Helping Dogs and Cats is making a positive impact in Basingstoke. 

Kirsty said: "It is less room than we have got now but we are hoping we will get more people coming to buy our stuff because we need the money to go towards our vet bills that we have to pay every month.

"We had a really good response to our appeal for volunteers after the story was published in the Gazette, we just got loads and loads of phone calls. We have managed to get all of the painting done and had all of the floors done, apart from the main shop floor.

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"We just got a great response so I am really really grateful for everybody. It was also a great way to let people know we are here and we are moving."

Helping Dogs and Cats runs a foodbank, microchipping service, and second-hand and affordable clothing and household items.

Alongside the shop, the shelter also rescues and rehabilitates dogs and cats in its care.