LIMERICK Animal Welfare are under extreme pressure as cats and dogs are continually dropped off at the sanctuary, where there is no longer space to house them. Ideally, the Kilfinane based sanctuary can accommodate 40 dogs and 40 cats, but they currently care for more than 60 dogs and 68 cats. “People are getting irritated with us when we tell them that we can’t take the pet they are giving up or that they found, but they need to understand that we can’t risk putting any of the animals or put our staff in jeopardy”, sanctuary manager Jodie Hayward, told the Limerick Post.
“The more dogs we have in each kennel the harder it is to control the spread of disease, which is harmful to the existing animals and costly for us to treat”.
However, she said that the public are continuing to drop cats and dogs, that are not emergency cases, off at the sanctuary and at a veterinary clinic in the city.
The number of animals being rehomed has also decreased adding a further burden to the charity.
“It hasn’t dropped off dramatically but rehoming is slowly trickling down over the summer.
“Some people don’t understand our policies on home checks and the necessity for donations to be made when a pet is taken, but this is to ensure that the animal is being looked after and to cover the expense we have had in getting them neutered and immunised.
“If the new owner was to carry this out themselves, they would have the expense anyway.
“The failure of pet owners to neuter their pets is what contributes to so many unwanted and abandoned animals in here”.
LAW has now organised a fundraiser in an effort to open the new sanctuary building which has not been completed due to a lack of finances.
The unit will include a dog rehoming unit, a reception area, a vet clinic, meeting/conference room and apartment, as well as a puppy unit.
“We’re asking anyone who can to give up a cup of coffee or bar of chocolate for one day and donate it to us instead.
“We have already collected nearly €800 via Fundrazr.com. There is a long way to go but every penny counts”.
The charity is hoping to secure funding from Ballyhoura to help complete the project but needs to raise 50% of the money to qualify for the grant.
Donations can be made at the LAW shops or online, via the charity’s facebook page.
