CHRISTMAS came early for 137 animal welfare groups nationwide with funding of almost €2.5m announced by Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Michael Creed.

In all, state funding of €2,460,500 was announced to be paid with immediate effect. Equine, canine, cats and wildlife groups were all included in the funding.

As expected, the biggest recipients were the ISPCA National Animal Centre, Keenagh, Co Longford and the ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre, Mallow, Co Cork (€310,000); the DSPCA in Rathfarnham, Dublin, (€290,000); The Irish Blue Cross, Inchicore, Dublin (€180,000); The Donkey Sanctuary, Mallow, (€120,000); Longford’s Hungry Horse Outside (€75,000); Cork SPCA (€80,000) and the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Co Wicklow (€50,000).

Minister Creed said: “These organisations contribute greatly to protecting animals, by providing sanctuary for in many instances surrendered, abandoned and at-risk animals and the funding being awarded is evidence of my Department’s on-going commitment in the area of animal welfare and is a recognition of the important role played by these organisations in safeguarding animals particularly pet and companion animals.”

The Minister particularly thanked volunteers working in animal welfare where the workload has increased significantly due to the recession and also with greater enforcement brought about by the enactment of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, together with equine identification requirements and the new dog microchipping legislation.

Minister Creed asked organisations to help “get the message out to people keeping equines and dogs on the necessity to have the animals identified as required under legislation.”

He also asked equine welfare organisations to ensure that stallions being re-homed are castrated.

Some of the recipients are working in conjunction with local authorities, supported by the Department, in developing facilities for urban and traveller horse populations and to educate these young people in the care and welfare of horses.

Welcoming these initiatives, Minister Creed said they “will assist horse owners in complying with equine related legislation including identification and control of horses and the education courses provided within the framework of the projects give the horse owners an opportunity to acquire skills in relation to caring and managing horses alongside a broader education.”

The public was reminded of the dedicated email address and department helpline to report any incidents of animal cruelty or neglect.

Animal Welfare

Helpline:

The phone number for the Helpline is:

Call Save: 0761 064408

Telephone: 01-607 2379

Dedicated email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie