Zwevegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – De Leiestreek Animal Shelter in Zwevegem will expand in September 2025, adding an adoption centre and €1.2 million veterinary clinic. Manager Veerle Debaillie and chairman Filip Debaillie lead the project.
As VRT News reported, the De Leiestreek Animal Shelter in Zwevegem, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, will start major renovation and expansion work in September 2025. The new section will become a dedicated adoption centre. Visitors will be able to enter this area directly.
“The new kennels will be much larger, with an indoor and outdoor area,
explains Veerle Debaillie, the shelter’s manager.
The cats will also have much more spacious accommodations with more space and opportunities to play or find some peace.”
What will Zwevegem Shelter’s €1.2M Vet clinic change for animals?
Some parts of the existing building will continue to be used. Spokesperson Debaillie said,
“We have several cages that are very recent and perfectly usable.”
These cages will keep cats and dogs that are not yet ready for adoption.
A new veterinary clinic will be built at the entrance of the city’s animal shelter. The facility will allow all animals in the shelter to be microchipped and sterilised on-site. Officials mentioned that Dogs and cats can recover at the shelter after their procedures, giving them a safe and familiar environment. In collaboration with local veterinarians and the Public Social Welfare Centres (PCSWs), the shelter hopes to provide affordable animal care to those in need.
The estimated cost of the clinic is around €1,200,000. The shelter has saved money over the past years and can cover the construction of the building shell, which will cost about €600,000. The rest of the funds still need to be raised through sponsors and public contributions. To promote the project, open days are planned in October 2025. Chairman Filip Debaillie says that the shelter has repeatedly proven that great results can be achieved by working together.
A similar project took place in Ghent in 2021, where the city’s animal shelter opened a veterinary clinic on-site. The clinic allowed dogs and cats to be microchipped and sterilised without leaving the shelter. Officials mentioned that the project helped families who could not afford veterinary care and made animal services more accessible.
