Rochdale and District Animal Centre closes as animals make long-awaited move to new Hollingworth Lake home

After 83 years of operation from its site on Redcross Street, the Rochdale and District Animal Centre has now closed – as its animal residents are moved to their new home at Hollingworth Lake.

The Rochdale RSPCA will be based at the former visitor centre which has undergone an extensive refurbishment and expansion and will be known as the Hollingworth Lake Animal Centre. 

The former visitor centre has been transformed and enlarged into a state-of-the-art facility to house the many abused and abandoned domestic animals and wildlife casualties which are brought to the animal centre by RSPCA inspectors.

They then receive vet treatment and rehabilitation before being rehomed or released back into the wild. The branch has taken in around 700 animals in the last twelve months. In the last 10 years the centre has rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed over 6,000 animals and birds and looks forward to many more years of promoting animal welfare in the area.

Visitors to the lake and to the Animal Centre will also enjoy accessible facilities, with the new Animal Centre boasting a large, dog friendly café, improved public toilet facilities, upgraded reception and information area and a meeting room. There are new separate premises for the country park rangers.
 

Read more: First look at new RSPCA Animal Centre at Hollingworth LakePublished: 06 April 2022

The Rochdale branch of the RSPCA was established in 1890, operating across a number of local premises, before moving to the former Woodman Hotel on Redcross Street in 1939. The Redcross Street site has been bought by RBH and will be developed for new homes in the town centre.

In the meantime, the operation of the Rochdale charity shops will continue to be managed from Redcross Street.

 

 

David Canavan, chair of trustees for the RSPCA's Rochdale branch, said: “It is an exciting time for the RSPCA, but it is also an opportunity to reflect upon all the trustees, staff and volunteers over the years who have devoted themselves to all those animals who have needed our help. 

“The support of the people of Rochdale has made our work possible and our grateful thanks must go to them as well.

“Animals are truly wonderful.  They enrich our lives in so many ways and they deserve our love and care.  For those animals that suffer abuse, abandonment and cruelty, the RSPCA will always do everything it can to relieve their suffering and give them an opportunity to enjoy a secure and happy life in the future.  

“Our move to Hollingworth Lake will allow us to expand our welfare work not only for domestic animals but also for the wildlife which is increasingly threatened in this current world.  Animals do not have a voice, but I hope that all those good people in our community who share our respect for animals will join with us to speak on their behalf.

“This exciting development for the RSPCA would not have happened without the support of Rochdale Borough Council, Your Trust and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. 

“On behalf of the RSPCA, I would wish to convey our thanks to them.”

The centre’s phone number will remain the same – 01706 861897 – and more information will be on the website and Facebook pages. The café is expected to open in early February.