An Elgin dog care business, which was forced to search for a new home because of planning rules, has relocated to a former Army barracks.
Moray Mutts, formerly known as Doolittle Doggy Day Care, was pushed out of its town centre accommodation after the upstairs premises became earmarked for flats.
Regulations meant the firm was not allowed to be based under the homes and red tape thwarted other potential replacements across the town.
But now, the firm has ended more than a year of uncertainty by opening a new base in Elgin’s Pinefield Industrial Estate.
Yesterday, more than a dozen dogs darted about old tyres and wooden houses which have been set up as playthings.
The building has previously been accommodation for army soldiers staying in a barracks and was most recently home to a plumbing business.
However, Esther Riddell, owner of Moray Mutts, believes its unconventional past lends itself perfectly to her canine companions – portraits of whom now adorn the walls of the business.
She said: “They love it here. There’s a big outdoor area and they run in and out all day long.”
Mrs Riddell added: “It really was quite a stressful situation. At some points, it really did look like it was going to close for good.
“I used to run it with my sister, but she had to leave for another job because of the uncertainty. I had to respect that, we all have bills to pay.
“It’s just great to put it all behind us now and look to the future. The new place was quite run down when we got it, it took a while to get it just right.”
The plight of Moray Mutts led to a huge outpouring of support from regular customers and supporters of the business.
Canine owners from across the area contributed to a fundraising campaign which collected more than £2,000 to aid the building’s conversion to a dog care business.
Mrs Riddell said: “So many people wanted to help. It really did make a big difference to the refurbishments. I don’t know how it would have been possible otherwise.”