NUMBER OF UNWANTED PETS NOW REACHING CRISIS POINT
unwanted animals but in a lot of cases that is just not true,’ said Fiona.
Based in Ballinaclash, Wicklow Animal Welfare is an independent registered charity that is totally reliant on the generosity of the public. The charity no longer applies for a grant from the Department of Agriculture because funding received in the past was so small it was of little consequence.
‘There are about 250 rescue centres in Ireland, not to be confused with places that have become re-homing centres,’ explained Fiona. ‘A re-homing centre is where animals are usually re-homed from one home to another. Usually the animals are already vaccinated, mircochipped and even neutered, as opposed to rescue centres, like our own, that actually go out and rescue animals from unsuitable and neglectful situations.
‘Only 111 of those listed as rescue centres received grants from the Dept of Agriculture this year, so a large number appear to receive no Government support at all. A total of €2.56 million was allocated to rescues for 2018. Compare this with the €80m that was allocated between greyhound racing and horse racing.’
Fiona believes that animal welfare issues could and should be much, much higher on the political agenda and believes that local authorities can do more to alleviate the number of unwanted animals by more closely monitoring the number of licenses issued for breeding dogs. Without rescue centres taking in hundreds of animals up and down the country, far more would also be put to sleep in pounds which councils have contracts with individuals and companies to run.
‘It beggars belief. The Dog Breeding Establishment Act of 2010 took seven years to go through the Dail in comparison to the Water Charges Act that was put through in a matter of days,’ said an exasperated Fiona.
She believes the role of animal welfare organisations remains deeply unappreciated but this is something she hopes to see change sooner rather than later.
‘Without rescues doing what they do in Ireland, you would not be able to drive on the roads for dead and injured dogs and cats. We have never been under so much pressure to take in animals. The re-homing of ordinary or ‘plain-looking’ animals in this country is at a virtual standstill so we have to look to the UK and beyond for help finding homes for our unwanted animals. Historically, we Irish have exported a lot of our problems to the UK. That trend has continued to this day. We should be sorting out our own problems and not relying on help from other countries.’
While some people complain that the laws pertaining to animal welfare in Ireland are inadequate, Fiona isn’t in agreement. She believes they are adequate (apart from some anomalies in the Dog Breeding Establishment Act that has no upper limit on the amount of breeding bitches that can be used for profit) but that the problems are lack of enforcement and lax punishment.
‘If someone is found guilty of cruelty or neglect of any animal they should receive a punishment that will make them think twice the next time and, depending on the abuse or neglect, they should be prevented from ever owning or having in their possession any animal. The punishment must fit the crime,’ said Fiona.
Since 2016 it has been against the law to buy, sell or give away any that hasn’t been micro-chipped and registered and Fiona would like to see these laws, and the laws on licensing, enforced.
She would also like to see irresponsible breeders banned from breeding or selling dogs and believes that those breeders should be made to pay a levy to rescue centres who are forced to pick up the pieces from the over-supply of animals.
‘People who want to breed from their pet, for whatever reason, should be registered and made responsible for the puppies born from birth to death,’ said Fiona.
‘Then, and only then, will I accept that there are “responsible breeders”. If that happened there would be no need for rescue centres at all – now wouldn’t that be great?’
Wicklow Animal Welfare has many dogs and puppies waiting to find a new home. To enquire about adopting a pet or to lend your support to the charity, contact Fiona on (087) 9680583 or visit the Wicklow Animal Welfare Facebook page.