Green light for Happy Paws shelter

Happy Paws operator Sally Rogers talks to councillors at recent site inspection

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• Dogs have their day

IT HASN'T been an easy road for Sally Rodgers, but last night she received the news she was hoping for.

After complaints from neighbours about running the shelter in Breimba Street, Grafton, Ms Rodgers applied to Clarence Valley Council for permission to move her shelter to the rural area of Eatonsville.

Last week, The Daily Examiner ran a story on a heated meeting outside the proposed shelter when councillors and neighbours turned up for a public examination of the site.

In her application to council, Ms Rodgers applied to house 20 dogs and an unknown number of cats.

Clarence Valley Council papers have disclosed that 12 submissions and two petitions opposing the shelter were received by council.

Last Tuesday at council's environment, economic and community committee meeting, councillors - excluding Cr Williamson - recommended the Happy Paws application be passed.

After some discussion, the councillors based their recommendation on the provision that Ms Rodgers keep no more than six dogs and 100 cats.

At a full council meeting in Maclean last night, councillors passed Ms Rodgers' development application in a unanimous vote.

Ms Rodgers was not at the meeting when the decision was announced.