WORK has started on the new £4million Scottish SPCA rehoming centre in Cardonald.

The centre will be expanded and modernised to care for up to 3000 abused, abandoned and injured animals each year.

When the new building is finished, there will be a cattery for more than 50 cats as well as bird, ferret and small animal rooms.

The current building will be completely refurbished into a two-storey kennel with capacity for up to 150 dogs plus an outdoor area to allow space for daily exercise.

The kennels will be completed with glazed doors for easier viewing for the public who visit the centre looking to adopt and rehome the rescued animals.

Barr Construction was appointed main contractor of the project after completing four other contracts for the charity. The firm will also be installing internal and external runs and sleeping areas.

Andy Hutchison, project manager at Barr Construction, said: "We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Scottish SPCA and we're pleased to be able to provide another state-of-the-art facility for such a beneficial and worthwhile charity.

"These centres perform a vital role in their local communities and will provide care for thousands of abandoned and mistreated animals.

"We aim to create comfortable living spaces for the animals as well as improve the working conditions for the staff who work so hard delivering a fantastic and much needed job."

The Scottish SPCA ­rescues, rehabilitates and ­rehomes thousands of ­domestic, farm and wild ­animals every year.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn added: "We are pleased to be working with Barr Construction once again and it's fantastic to see these much needed facilities making steady progress.

"Almost everyone in Glasgow knows the Dog and Cat Home. But sadly, the high number of animals coming into our care has been stretching our resources to their absolute limit, which is why this investment is vital.

"This is the most ambitious building project we have ever undertaken and as such we require good quality, well-built facilities, enabling us to care for an increasing number of abandoned, ­neglected and injured animals each year.

"We are also investing significantly in our veterinary facilities, which will help our team of vets perform routine and life-saving procedures and operations.

"Our centre has served the city and the surrounding area for more than a hundred years and helped tens of thousands of animals find new and loving homes.

"We hope this will continue long into the future when the expansion is complete."

Construction of the new centre will be finished in spring next year.

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk