ISPCA

On Thursday 23rd September 2024, a 25- year-old man with an address at Riverglen, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford appeared before Judge Brian O’Shea at Dungarvan District Court facing charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Guilty pleas were entered in relation to four counts. Giving evidence, ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey described how she responded to a report regarding dogs at the accused’s address on Wednesday 22nd March 2023 and found two Lurcher dogs in the back garden. She told the court that both dogs were in very poor condition with their ribs and hip bones protruding, and the male dog had open wounds and pressure sores on his body which was indicative of lying on a hard surface for a prolonged period of time. The accused admitted ownership of the two dogs and surrendered them into the care of the ISPCA. They were taken for veterinary assessment where it was found that the male dog weighed just 10.1 Kg and the female 12.2 Kg. So severe were their conditions, they were admitted to the veterinary hospital overnight. Ms Lacey told how, over the following 10 weeks, both dogs gained staggering amounts of weight, with the male dog increasing in weight by 15.9 Kg and the female dog gaining 17.8 Kg. Convicting the defendant, Judge O’Shea remarked that “these dogs looked like skeletons”. Noting the sores and the unsuitable living conditions he said the dogs were “at the ultimate mercy of the owner”. He disqualified the accused from owning a dog or dogs for ten years, imposed fines totalling €1,000, and ordered that he pay €947 in veterinary expenses and €1,845 in legal costs. Commenting on the case Senior Inspector Lacey said: “Both dogs, once rescued, began to gain weight and thrive. Although they were in an horrific state when they came into our care, their strong will to survive outweighed the neglect they had endured. They are a testament to the resilience and strength needed to overcome their previous circumstances.." Read more on this story here: https://lnkd.in/etHw2xYD

Today's Happy Tail is of Albie, who was adopted in July 2023. 🐶 Here is how Albie is getting on at his Forever Home: "When we first met Albie, I thought he was very cute but I was very reluctant because our house is (was) very quiet. It used to be just my husband, our senior dog Max (who mostly just sleeps all day) and myself. So I was very hesitant because I knew puppies are not easy and I also knew he would be a big dog, being a Doberman, but once my husband saw him and played with him...there was just no going back. He was very strong at the start. At 6 months old I couldn't walk him. But thanks to all of our training (and it was A LOT), we now go on long walks/hikes to the woods near our town, there's at least 4, and we can walk for one or 2 hours. We haven't gone on longer hikes because he's not supposed to exercise so much before he's 18 months old. We also have a little yard where we play a lot with the flirt pole, fetch and tug of war. Albie is thriving and is such a happy boy. He is wearing his muzzle as this is the law. He's not very fond of it but is doing very, very well. He gets a nice treat like peanut butter or yoghurt before getting the muzzle on and he trots happily then. I had never walked so much in my life! He's taught me so much, about discipline and self confidence. Albert is the most wonderful, beautiful and just perfect dog. I swear I have never met a nicer dog. He just loves everyone and wants cuddles and pets from everyone we meet, but it definitely has not been easy. Adopting a dog, a puppy, and a restricted breed at that, it can be a handful. Knowing all this, remembering the times I nearly gave up, I would do it all over again, because now I just can't imagine not ever looking into those eyes again and seeing the purest love there is." We would like to thank Albie's forever family for sending on this gorgeous update of how he's getting on! 💙 To find out more about the ISPCA, get involved or kindly donate, please visit www.ispca.ie 🐾

An amazing gift this #WorldAnimalDay, thank you so much Mars Petcare for your incredible donation. We are overwhelmingly grateful for your support for the animals in ISPCA care 💙

🎉WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉 A huge congratulations to Michelle W., the lucky winner of a year’s supply of free dog or cat food generously provided by Mars Petcare! 🐾🎁 We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our raffle. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we’ve raised an incredible €6,005 to help care for the animals in ISPCA care! 💙 For those who didn’t win this time, don’t worry—our Christmas Raffle is just around the corner, so keep an eye out for more exciting details to come! 🎄✨ Thank you again for all your support! 🙏 #ThankYou #MarsPetcare #RaffleWinner #SupportISPCA

Happy 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 from all of us at the ISPCA, proudly working together to protect and care for animals everywhere! 🌍🐶😻💙 Learn more about what we did this World Animal Week: https://lnkd.in/eQns_2nW

At Arklow District Court on Wednesday 26th September 2024, a 46-year-old-man from Gorey, Co Wexford pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. They related to a piebald cob filly seized by ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling from lands at Ballinamona, Avoca, Co Wicklow, in February 2022. Chief Inspector Dowling told the court that the pony was in thin condition with her hips and spine protruding and appeared lethargic and weak. There was also some form of oil on her neck, mane, legs and tail. Contact was made by telephone with the defendant who claimed that the filly had been in the care of another individual for a number of months until 3-4 weeks previously and that she was in poor condition when he collected her. He said that he had dosed her for worms and her condition was improving. He also told the Inspector that he had put the oil on her to stop a donkey from eating her mane and tail. Inspector Dowling was not satisfied with the care the pony was receiving so she was seized and removed initially to the Irish Horse Welfare Trust. After her seizure, the hair on the neck of the filly began falling out in clumps and the skin underneath was inflamed. It was believed that this was due to the oil which had been applied to her mane. The court heard that a vet found the pony to be bordering on emaciated and that she had sharp teeth and ulcers in her mouth that would have affected her ability to eat.  Chief Inspector Dowling further told how he did not receive any further contact from the accused for over a month after the filly was seized. When he subsequently interviewed the defendant under caution, he reiterated his claim that the filly had been in the care of another party for a period some time prior to its seizure. When shown photographs and videos of the damage to the filly’s skin, the defendant appeared shocked. The court heard that there were substantial costs of over €12,000 as the accused had declined the opportunity to surrender the pony in 2022 resulting in it being detained in ISPCA care for over two years. Read the rest of this story here: https://lnkd.in/eiVx-SvY

Tick-tock! ⏰ This is your LAST chance to enter our #MyPetIsBest Raffle! For just €5, you could be in with a chance of winning a YEAR’s supply of FREE pet food for your furry friend! 💙 Hurry, raffle closes at 11:59pm tomorrow night! Winner announced on World Animal Day, 4th October! 🐾 Enter now: https://lnkd.in/eX_Un4ia

The ISPCA, Ireland’s leading national animal welfare charity, is marking the start of World Animal Week by shining a spotlight on the invaluable work of its inspectors, who are at the forefront of rescuing animals in need. To further raise awareness of the week, Rosanna Davison and Pete Wedderburn joined the ISPCA to launch the 2025 ISPCA Calendar, featuring heartwarming stories of animals that were saved thanks to the efforts of the public and ISPCA inspectors. A total number of 7,779 calls for help were made to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515 so far this year. 2,086 investigations were carried our resulting in 830 animals being surrendered or seized by ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspectors. During this period, the ISPCA was involved in 28 court cases, all of which were successfully resolved and resulted in 29 criminal convictions. The ISPCA encourages members of the public to continue to report any animal welfare concerns and together we can prevent cruelty to all animals. The ISPCA 2025 calendar showcases many of these rescued animals, telling the stories of their journeys from neglect to care, some currently still with the ISPCA or in new, loving homes. The calendar curated by renowned multi award-winning photographer James Crombie and is available now for pre-order with all proceeds supporting the ISPCA's ongoing efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need. ISPCA CEO Dr Cyril Sullivan emphasized the critical role the public plays in the organisation’s work: "World Animal Week and World Animal Day on October 4th is an opportunity to celebrate our bond with animals, while also raising awareness about the growing challenges we face in preventing cruelty and neglect. Our inspectors are working tirelessly to respond to every call for help, ensuring animals are treated with the compassion they deserve. We urge the public to get involved this week by donating, adopting, or simply raising awareness – because every small action makes a big difference in an animal’s life.” Click here to read more: https://lnkd.in/eQns_2nW

📣We’re Hiring!📣 Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of Ireland’s most vulnerable animals? We're currently seeking an 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 at our ISPCA Mallow Centre. 🐾 Passionate about animal welfare? Apply now at https://ispca.ie/jobs/ to find out more or email us at recruitment@ispca.ie

Don't miss your chance to win FREE pet food for 2025! Our draw takes place on World Animal Day, Friday the 4th of October, enter now to win big for your furry friend! 😻💙🐶 Buy your €5 raffle ticket here: https://lnkd.in/eX_Un4ia