A SOUTHAMPTON animal rescue centre had a close call after high winds saw a tree come crashing down onto one of the kennels.

Second Chance Animal Rescue, based near Swaythling, saw one of its trees split down the middle, landing on the kennels that houses their dogs.

Fortunately, the kennel was empty at the time.

The good fortune was also extended to the cattery that is the other side of the tree, and was home to between 60 and 70 cats.

If the tree had fallen the other side, or more of the foliage had come down, rescue coordinator Rose Milne said it could have been a different story.

High winds brought the tree crashing down, causing damage to one of the kennels, but the centre say they do not know how much it will cost to repair.

Rose said they were “very lucky” after the tree came down on Wednesday afternoon (August 2).

Rose said: “It could have been so much worse. The dog who is usually in the kennel was out because the owner was on holiday. Normally that space is occupied by about 20 animals.

“If it would have hit the other side, we have between 60 and 70 cats in, and that would have been disastrous.

“I’d say the tree would have to be at least six feet tall, possibly even eight.”

Despite the damage, the centre said they would continue operating through the summer, and that the tree would be taken down.

Rose added: “A lot of animals use that outside space; I can’t believe how fortunate we were.”