It has been announced that €2.56 million in funding has been allocated to 111 animal welfare organisations throughout the country.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, confirmed the funding awards for organisations involved in protecting animals welfare. The payments are set to be made with immediate effect.

This marks the largest allocation of funding by the department to animals welfare organisations, according to Minister Creed.

These bodies provide a great service to the community in their work in safeguarding animals.

“Many of today’s recipients provide facilities for neglected animals that sadly – in a large number of instances – have been abandoned by irresponsible owners and the increased funding being awarded is evidence of my department’s on-going commitment in protecting animal welfare and a recognition of the important role played by the many organisations throughout the country in safeguarding animals, particularly pets and companion animals.

“We are fortunate in Ireland in having a voluntary sector dedicated to animal welfare and the organisations in receipt of today’s funding and their staff and volunteers provide great support and commitment to protecting surrendered, abandoned and at-risk animals,” the minister said.

He made the announcement at the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll, Co. Cork, today.

Minister Creed also took the opportunity to acknowledge the work undertaken by the officers from Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) and the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Continuing, the minster said: “I am greatly concerned with continuing incidences of sheep being terrorised and killed by roaming dogs and the message needs to get out to all dog owners in both urban and rural areas on the importance of knowing the whereabouts of your dog at all times”.

As well as this, he underlined the importance of neutering programmes for cats and dogs and he indicated that all animals being re-homed should be neutered, unless veterinary opinion advises otherwise.

The minister went on to mention that those welfare organisations involved in equine rescue should ensure that stallions being re-homed are castrated.

Christmas

With regards to Christmas, Minister Creed said: “Owning a pet imposes a massive commitment – including a high financial cost – and while gifting animals may be well intentioned, unfortunately the reality for such pets is that they are often abandoned by their new owners once the novelty wears off and it is left to the animal welfare bodies to deal with the consequences of abandoned animals, which places unnecessary pressure on their resources”.

He urged those who are considering getting a pet this Christmas to consider adopting an animal from one of the many reputable rescue organisations.

Minister Creed advised those considering investing in a pet to heed the advice of the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG) and to make themselves fully aware of where their new pet has originated from.

Concluding, the minister acknowledged the work undertaken by staff in his own department on animal welfare matters and stated that he and his officials will continue to work closely with animal welfare groups in the future.

A full list of organisations who received funding is available online.