Over €150k funding for animal groups
FUNDING to the tune of €153,000 has been granted to eight animal welfare organisations throughout Wicklow.
The funding is to be made available with immediate effect to ASH Animal Rescue; Aughrim Cat Rescue; Greystones Kitty Hostel; The Irish Horse Protection League in Blessington; The Irish Horse Welfare Trust based in Arklow; the Traveller Animal Welfare in Rathdrum; The Kildare & West Wicklow SPCA and the Wicklow SPCA.
Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, acknowledged the great work of these welfare organisations and wanted to express his gratitude to their staff and volunteers.
‘ The workload for many of these organisations has increased over recent years on account of the greater enforcement of animal welfare legislation brought about in the main by the enactment of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, together with greater enforcement of equine identification and new dog microchipping legislation.’
Minister Doyle stressed the importance of adults being responsible when considering gifting animals as pets at this time of year.
‘Getting a pet is a big responsibility, requiring extensive commitment and considerable financial burden,’ said Minister Doyle. ‘It is often left up to charities like the ones that received funding today to pick up the pieces once these pets are abandoned. I urge people getting pets to think about the commitment involved.’
He added that the Department would continue to work closely with animal welfare groups. Minister Doyle reminded the public of the dedicated email address and helpline in operation in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for members of the public to report incidents of animal neglect and cruelty over the festive season.