20 - the number students studying toward a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in animal management.

A SOUTH Lakeland college has become the first in the UK to open a fully operational animal rescue and rehabilitation centre alongside its teaching department.

The new centre at Kendal College has the facilities to house a range of animals, birds and wildlife, which will be referred to the college by the RSPCA, veterinary surgeries, and other animal organisations and charities.

It is headed up by two experienced vets and will focus exclusively on the rescue and rehabilitation of animals and wildlife; from swans, badgers, seals, cats and rabbits through to more exotic breeds like lizards and snakes.

Throughout the development of the project, college staff have been working closely with the RSPCA in the North West with a view to becoming the first college in the country to host an RSPCA-approved rescue centre once fully assessed.

Lisbeth Tucker, resident vet and college tutor, said: “This has been an incredibly exciting project that we’re delighted to see come to fruition with the opening of the first animal rescue centre of its kind in the country.”

“In past years, the college has always had demand from students to offer animal care courses, and this was further backed up this year by the impressive number of students we had register on the new 2014-2015 courses before the centre was even open.

“With the new animal rescue centre, Kendal College finds itself in the unique position of being able to provide the highest quality care to animals and local wildlife, as well as giving our students a practical animal care experience that is unique in the sector.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: “This is wonderful news and I want to pay a massive tribute to Kendal College. They really are at the heart of our community and this new rescue centre is further evidence of that. I’m sure it will allow students to gain valuable experience caring for animals in need.”

The centre houses a small cattery, aviaries and hedgehog houses. It also has an intensive care room and operating theatre with industry standard surgical equipment and digital x-ray facilities.

It will not offer any veterinary services to the public, but will work with local vets, the RSPCA, and other charities to provide care for animals in need and wildlife casualties.

The first resident animals through the doors included a bearded dragon, an albino king snake, four guinea pigs, two rabbits, two gerbils, a swan and four cats.

For more information, visit http://www.kendal.ac.uk or call 01539 814700.