Sadly, Save a Pet Foundation had to close the doors to our North Rocks shelter at the start of the COVID pandemic. We've been operating from The Ponds area on Bernard's private property for over three years now. We've spent the last two years growing our team and scouting for the perfect new location. Our efforts finally paid off when we discovered an ideal spot in Rouse Hill. However, during the process, we, along with the real estate agents, overlooked a crucial detail: the property is actually situated in the Hills council area, not the Blacktown council area. It was a surprise to learn that the boundary between the two councils is just two streets away from our new location. We had signed the lease, thinking everything was in order. But then we found out that the property was actually under the Hills Council's jurisdiction. We did the right thing and submitted the paperwork, but unfortunately, the Hills Council informed us that we couldn't operate from that location because it was in an E4 area, which isn't allowed for organizations like ours. It's worth noting that the Hills Council has stricter rules than Blacktown Council, which permits operations like ours in both E3 and E4 areas. Although the site may be classified as E4, the surrounding businesses are more characteristic of an E3 site, with no heavy machinery or industrial activities in the area, which is also close to suburban neighborhoods where such businesses are unlikely to operate. By signing our petition, you'll be helping us demonstrate community support for our relocation. This collective backing will be crucial in our upcoming meeting with the Hills Shire Council mayor, highlighting our positive impact on the community.