THE brilliant work that organisations like the ISPCA and Dogs Trust do year round in taking in and rehoming dogs took on a new meaning when 340 dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds, were rescued from a Carlow puppy farm recently.
Along with 11 horses, the dogs were taken into care after the property was shut down on foot of a Closure Order.
Such was the scale of the operation that it took nine days to clear the property in Myshall of all animals. Home for many of the dogs is now the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford while some were taken to the ISPCA Equine Centre in Mallow and others to Dogs Trust in north Dublin.
The rescued dogs were mostly adult females ranging in breeds from Cocker Spaniels, Siberian Huskies, Yorkshire Terriers, Bichon Frise crosses, Cavalier King Charles and Shih Tzus plus a small number of large breed puppies, some only weeks old.
The ISPCA is urgently looking for good homes for the dogs ready to go who have received veterinary treatment and are now returned to health.
Anyone who can offer a good home is asked to go online and have a look through the dogs at www.ispca.ie or please contact the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Keenagh, Co Longford at 043 33 25035 or the Victor Dowling Equine Rescue Centre in Cork at 022 43218.
ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said: “Even seasoned ISPCA officers found the conditions encountered at this premises truly shocking. This operation has been extremely challenging for the ISPCA as a whole and for the individuals involved at a personal level. The conditions in this dog breeding establishment were absolutely shocking and it was imperative that it be shut down.”
HOT CAR WARNING
Meanwhile with summer weather finally here, the ISPCA is reminding pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars - even 10 minutes can be fatal in heat stroke cases. “You may think leaving the car window open will alleviate the risk of heat stroke but under intense sunshine, this is not sufficient. It is important to have a source of cool air from the windows/sunroof or air conditioning. Be sure that the destination is dog-friendly and has a cool area with plenty of shade. A constant supply of cold drinking water is advisable and to also stop regularly to give your pet water breaks,’’ said ISPCA public relations officer, Carmel Murray.
DONATIONS
If you aren’t in a position to give a dog a home but would like to help, both Dogs Trust and the ISPCA are registered charities, relying on donations to help them carry out their work.