394 given up since Christmas

ALMOST 400 dogs have been surrendered to an animal charity since late December as families seek to give up the furry Christmas gifts.

Dogs Trust Ireland processed 394 requests to take in dogs from people from Christmas Day to the end of January.

The most common reasons for handing over their dogs is that they are exhibiting unwanted behaviours or the owners do not have enough time to spend with their pets.

The charity is urgently appealing for donations to cope with the alarming 33 per cent rise in the volume of dogs they are being asked to assist, compared to the same period last year.

Many of the dogs, especially those raised in the pandemic lockdowns, require extra behavioural support, meaning they are spending longer in the care of Dogs Trust.

The charity’s head of communications Ciara Byrne said: “As a charity that relies solely on the generosity of our supporters, we are appealing for donations as the current dog crisis is putting a huge strain on our resources.

“We are taking in more and more dogs with behavioural issues who then spend more time with us as our dedicated team works with them, to get them to a stage where they can be adopted.

“We are thankful so many people contact us for advice about their dog and don’t resort to abandoning them.

“We try to help where we can, from our online Dog School training classes, to advice on our website, our aim is to keep as many dogs as possible happy in their existing homes.” The charity pointed to the case of oneyear-old Collie cross sisters, Serena and Venus as just two examples of the growing dog crisis in Ireland.

HOME SEARCH: One-year-old Collie sisters, Serena and Venus

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Both dogs were pregnant when given to Dogs Trust in December. The charity has found homes for their puppies and now aims to rehouse Serena and Venus.

The charity said the dogs are unsocialised and unused to walking on a lead or the sounds of traffic.

Dogs Trust rehoming manager Eimear Cassidy said: “We are appealing to people who live in quieter areas to please contact us.”