The futures of abandoned dogs are looking brighter, thanks to a new development at a caring rescue charity.

The West Yorkshire Dog Rescue, based at New Hey Farm above Marsden, hopes that more pooches will find new homes thanks to the creation of a new visitor centre.

A cosy wooden hut, it will allow would-be owners to meet potential new members of their families in a purpose built room on a one to one basis, instead of the adjoining house where several dogs were present at most times.

And the new addition was all made possible by Leeds-based company, Tiger Log Cabins, who donated £1,000 to make it happen.

Jack Sutcliffe, of Tiger Log Cabins, said: “When the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue team approached us, we took the time to look at the site and saw some of the amazing stories of the work they do in our local area.

“We were more than happy to help them by offering a charitable contribution towards their new log cabin.”

Potential adopters will be able to interact with one dog at a time at the centre, which will give owner Kathy Trout more time to spend with the dogs and visitors.

She said: “It does make a huge difference to our charity.

“Having the visitors centre improves the professional image of the charity, and that has to have an effect on rehoming.

“As the image improves, the reputation improves, more people come to look at dogs and of course that has an impact on people adopting and re-homing dogs.”

Kathy and her dedicated team of foster carers have helped out hundreds of dogs since the charity was registered in 2009.

Instead of placing them into kennels, an experience Kathy believes has a negative impact on them, they live in a house with other dogs until a ‘forever home’ around Marsden and the surrounding areas is found for them.

Always looking for more donations, it spends £4,000 a month on vet bills alone.

It is also in need of more foster owners to help new dogs.

For more information about the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue, go to: westyorkshiredogrescue.co.uk/dogs.htm