€2.56m awarded to animal welfare organisations

FUNDING awards totalling €2,560,000 were Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed’s Christmas present to 111 organisations throughout the country involved in protecting animal welfare. 

The payments will be made with immediate effect and the Minister said that ‘it gives me great pleasure in awarding this funding which marks the largest allocation of funding by my Department to animal welfare organisations.’

The Minister went on to acknowledge that ‘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 ongoing commitment in protecting animal welfare and a recognition of the important role played by the many organisations throughout the country in safeguarding animals particularly pet and companion animals.  

The Minister made the announcement at the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll, in North Cork, which received €120,000 in funding, and he acknowledged its great work in donkey welfare, and took the opportunity to thank its staff and volunteers and those working with other welfare organisations around the country. 

Cork SPCA at Link Road, Mahon, Cork, received €90,000, while the Cork Cat Action Trust, Blackrock, Cork, got €15,000. The West Cork Animal Welfare Group Ltd, Gortnagrenane, Clonakilty, received €15,000 and Rural Animal Welfare Resources CLG, Rockmount, Drimoleague, €13,000.

Other West Cork beneficiaries included Community Cats Network, Kilbrittain, €7,000; Cork Animal Care, Clashbredane, Kilmichael, €7,000, and Rehoming Cork Pets, Carrigadrohid, €2,000.

The workload for many of these organisations has increased over recent years on account of a number of factors including more active enforcement of animal welfare legislation which has been enabled by the enactment and enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

The Minister went on to say that ‘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.’

He promised that his Department will continue to work closely with animal welfare groups.