Vast number of abandoned dogs in Ireland

EGAR · 01-06-2011 12:45pm

It makes no odds how much a dog costs. I have had very rare and expensive breeds in rescue here. If people want to get rid, they get rid regardless of what they may have paid for the dog.

I do the rounds in the N.S.'s around here every year and the level of complete ignorance is staggering. Over 50% of 8-14 year olds I have given talks to believe that an animal does not feel fear or pain.

Also, many people do not know that pounds are not shelters and that their surrendered dog can be pts'd straight away as surrendered dogs do NOT get the 5 days stray time.

I believe the only way forward (in an ideal world):

- banning of puppy farms

- ANYONE breeding a litter must pay tax on the pups, regardless of IKC or not

- compulsory microchipping and a passport like horses, with a central register

- dog licences for spayed/neutered dogs very low and very expensive for unneutered dogs (unless for medical reasons)

- rescues should be allowed to sell dog licences for the dogs they re-home to supplement their "income"

- complete banning of sale of animals on the likes of DoneDeal, BuyandSell, Gumtree etc

- heavy fines for allowing a dog to stray, maybe layered, 2 strikes and you are it

- and compulsory training classes for those who can't control their dogs

- fines/jail for those who train their dogs to be aggressive, so far only the dogs who have bitten have paid the price with their lives whereas their owners are free to go and get another dog to f*ck up

EGAR · 01-06-2011 12:48pm

Export of rescue dogs to UK, Italy etc.

The amount of pound rescues has risen and many of these ship vast amounts of dogs over to the UK etc so do many other rescues. This obviously creates a false positive for the pound statistics, there are no numbers available of HOW many dogs go to the UK etc every week.

ppink · 01-06-2011 1:04pm

EGAR wrote: »

I do the rounds in the N.S.'s around here every year and the level of complete ignorance is staggering. Over 50% of 8-14 year olds I have given talks to believe that an animal does not feel fear or pain.

Jaysus:(

EGAR wrote: »

- compulsory microchipping and a passport like horses, with a central register

Is a passport law now for horses? I know a horse rescue that told me they NEVER get passports for the horses they adopt out as it is too much hassle.

EGAR wrote: »

- dog licences for spayed/neutered dogs very low and very expensive for unneutered dogs (unless for medical reasons)

- rescues should be allowed to sell dog licences for the dogs they re-home to supplement their "income"

- complete banning of sale of animals on the likes of DoneDeal, BuyandSell, Gumtree etc

- heavy fines for allowing a dog to stray, maybe layered, 2 strikes and you are it

- and compulsory training classes for those who can't control their dogs

- fines/jail for those who train their dogs to be aggressive, so far only the dogs who have bitten have paid the price with their lives whereas their owners are free to go and get another dog to f*ck up

Good ideas there!

EGAR · 01-06-2011 1:14pm

ppink wrote: »

Is a passport law now for horses? I know a horse rescue that told me they NEVER get passports for the horses they adopt out as it is too much hassle.

It's here for a long time now, ppink and if that rescue doesn't do it, they break the law. All my horses are MC'd and passported and I retain ownership of the horses when they go to new home on long-term loan.

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/horses/equineidentificationdocumentspassports/

EGAR · 01-06-2011 1:17pm

BTW, it isn't much *hassle*, vet comes out, takes down the markings of the horse, MC etc total cost: 35 yoyos.

ppink · 01-06-2011 4:22pm

EGAR wrote: »

BTW, it isn't much *hassle*, vet comes out, takes down the markings of the horse, MC etc total cost: 35 yoyos.

Yes I did think that at the time but said person in charge of rehoming horses made it out to be a major ordeal. I am sure no different to getting markings done for registering for showjumping or whatever. 35 is cheap enough too.

Discodog · 01-06-2011 6:11pm

EGAR wrote: »

I do the rounds in the N.S.'s around here every year and the level of complete ignorance is staggering.

I know a couple who got two kittens. They fed them Ambrosia creamed rice, & made them sleep in an old kennel - they didn't want the shed messed up. Neither were ever neutered. One disappeared & the other, now a mature tom, roams for miles. He is rarely fed as "he's supposed to hunt". He will not be neutered because "it's just a cat".

His "owners" are both school teachers.

Ireland will probably never make responsible pet ownership a legal requirement so that leaves making it a moral obligation.

10 years ago a man would of boasted over his ability to drink 6 pints & still drive - not any more. The Dogs Trust have been educating for many years & back into the days when they were the Canine Defence League. Maybe if the cat owning teacher's own children were taught about the need for neutering, feeding etc they might go home & persuade their parents.

The DBEB & the changes to dog license fees provided an ideal opportunity to improve licensing but no one was interested.

planetX · 01-06-2011 6:23pm

I've posted before about overhearing in the waiting room, a vet telling an owner not to neuter her male cat unless he started causing trouble. She had asked would it be a good idea to get him neutered, and that was the vets reply. The education needs to start right at the top:mad:

missmyler · 02-06-2011 5:58am

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

If all these people you know have bought dogs purely based on what they look like, I assume you mean they got them from puppy farms Where do you think unsold puppy-farm dogs end up? And why would you continue to associate with these people if you feel so strongly about it? If they were buying children from some poor country would you continue to pop round for coffee and a chat?

I used to work in a dog shelter so am well aware where the dogs come from thank you very much. The majority of these dogs are not pure breds from puppy farms, mostly mongrels who have been abandoned. The sad fact is that the pretty pure breds are always the first to leave the shelter. People I know that have bought puppies have been naive to think that these dogs all come from loving families and this is the one and only litter the mother is going to have. And yes while I do feel strongly about it I am hardly going to disassociate with them because of this. Education is the key...not preaching and condemning

Tranceypoo · 02-06-2011 5:51pm

MADRA run an education programme, going to school and teaching them about animal welfare, they would cover most of Co Galway

In my few years of being involved in animal welfare (mainly dogs) since I moved here from the UK, I have realised that it doesn't matter how much a person paid for a dog, they will still leave it to roam, not get it neutered/spayed, hand it in because 'we don't really have the time to give it anymore'.

I remember asking a person once (who was selling puppies out of the back of his car at the local 'county fair') - 'will you be getting your dog spayed now, he looked at me and said 'getting her a spade?', not a clue.

I have come across way way too many supposedly intelligent people who are frighteningly ignorant to animal welfare, my own sister in law, a schoolteacher for 20 years, hadn't occured to her to get their farm dogs spayed/neutered (a male and a female), you could almost understand the elderly parents not knowing better but really, I literally took them to the vets and paid myself, after the female had a litter (which I also paid for myself to feed and get vaccinations, donation to local shelter etc). Nearly every day I am shocked by people's ignorance and basic lack of giving a toss.

Ditch · 02-06-2011 6:26pm

Reading through this thread, I've seen the Dog Pound at Louth mentioned two or three times.

What can I say? If there's a Better run place in all Eire, I'd be impressed. Tommy, the guy in charge last year, is a fantastic bloke.

I spotted a 'Black Lab'' sort of Dog on their web site and decided he'd do for me. I e mailed Louth and was told the Dog had been found wandering and that Tommy reckoned he'd be called for.

We gave it the week. Then Tommy still insisted on a couple more days. He couldn't understand why the owners hadn't turned up.

Finally, he gave up and agreed I could come get the Dog. I did. Next day. By Taxi from Co. Leitrim!

Ok. So the 'Pound Mutt' cost me nearly 400 Euro's ~ it was an eight hour round trip. So what? How much would some " Reputable Breeder " have charged me?

And, ye know what? This Dog 'Works' like a Field Trial Champion! He pushes hares across my feet and flushes pheasants right over my head. (Lucky for the local game, I'm not interested in shooting them

) And he won't even look at a field with cattle in it.

Dog's an absolute dream to have around. He's just an innocent, sweet natured bundle of happy love. At night, he curls up in his bed and effectively dies for the night.

Make what ye will of my comments. But, Tommy and Louth Dog Pound? Big

from me!

ISDW · 02-06-2011 6:58pm

Ditch wrote: »

Reading through this thread, I've seen the Dog Pound at Louth mentioned two or three times.

What can I say? If there's a Better run place in all Eire, I'd be impressed. Tommy, the guy in charge last year, is a fantastic bloke.

I spotted a 'Black Lab'' sort of Dog on their web site and decided he'd do for me. I e mailed Louth and was told the Dog had been found wandering and that Tommy reckoned he'd be called for.

We gave it the week. Then Tommy still insisted on a couple more days. He couldn't understand why the owners hadn't turned up.

Finally, he gave up and agreed I could come get the Dog. I did. Next day. By Taxi from Co. Leitrim!

Ok. So the 'Pound Mutt' cost me nearly 400 Euro's ~ it was an eight hour round trip. So what? How much would some " Reputable Breeder " have charged me?

And, ye know what? This Dog 'Works' like a Field Trial Champion! He pushes hares across my feet and flushes pheasants right over my head. (Lucky for the local game, I'm not interested in shooting them ) And he won't even look at a field with cattle in it.

Dog's an absolute dream to have around. He's just an innocent, sweet natured bundle of happy love. At night, he curls up in his bed and effectively dies for the night.

Make what ye will of my comments. But, Tommy and Louth Dog Pound? Big from me!

I'm really sorry, but I've just re-read the whole thread, and I can't see Louth pound mentioned once

Funnily enough, I also have a dog from Louth Pound that I drove from Sligo to go and collect, and he is very much part of our family. Unfortunately however, he has a few 'issues', was so scared when we got to the pound that he had to be carried out, and pressed himself into the car seat trying to hide. He's a lovely boy, and we woudn't change him for the world. I agree with you on the running of Louth Pound, it is most definitely one of the best in the country, and there are a brilliant rescue group, Dundalk Dogs, that work trying to rehome dogs there. They go in and take photos, put them up on websites, get dogs out to safety that aren't reclaimed, and find them forever homes.

Ditch · 02-06-2011 7:28pm

ISDW wrote: »

I'm really sorry, but I've just re-read the whole thread, and I can't see Louth pound mentioned once

I agree with you on the running of Louth Pound, it is most definitely one of the best in the country, and there are a brilliant rescue group, Dundalk Dogs, that work trying to rehome dogs there. They go in and take photos, put them up on websites, get dogs out to safety that aren't reclaimed, and find them forever homes.

Bugger! Wishful thinking ~ or good Home Brew?

Never mind. Now we've given it a heads up and it's nice to see I appear right in my appraisal

And, yeppers; I chose my 'Niggy' from a photo line up, on line. I suppose that would've been the work of DD's then? Bless 'em!

I have five Dogs here now. Every one a bona fide and properly adopted 'rescue'. Wouldn't be without any one of them.

Can't take any more on now because, quite simply, I insist on feeding them human grade flesh and bone.

And my mate, the local Slaughterman / Butcher simply does not process enough sheep, each week, to provide me with any more Breast of Lamb. It's not cost. Simple availability.

Otherwise, I'd probably have a football crowd of Dogs and go bankrupt on the Licenses!

hpsheba · 05-06-2011 2:22am

I for the life of me cant understand how anyone who claims to love dogs can go out and but a dog at the moment here in Ireland, There are literally thousands sitting in pounds and rescue centres up and down the country all breeds. In just one pound at the moment there are all types, Resticted breeds used to be more the norm but today on their facebook page there are Chihuahas ( multiple ) GSD beautys and my fav Collies.

Working with no rescue I have been asked in the last week to help rehome 2 Shihtzu puppies , 1 nine months and 1 6 months that the families that own them no longer want and also a 5 year oild Lab thats locked out the back all day, un neutered but has full papers and is from a great line.

Two quick stories. A lady came into the shop one day and told me that she had just arranged to buy a pup over the phone, her friends was going to pick it up for her and what should she do. She never ever had a dog before, didnt know what to feed it, what ot would like to sleep on/in and where she would put it when it arrived 2 hours later. This woman is well educated and run her own very successful business. Luckilly all worked out ok in the end for this pup. The family came to adore him, did training classes and he has a fab life, ................. but I was stumped at the time at how so little consideration was given to buying him.

Story 2, another lady comes into the shop, again well dressed smart 30 something, from a very well to do neighbourhood. She also had just bought a pup , did a little homework, met the breeder , saw the paperwork and was very happy. Now, she was collecting the pup later that day, 6 weeks old, springer spaniel and wanted to but buy a kennel for him. Now I didnt sell kennels but even if I had done I wouldnt have sold her one. The breeder told her that they were a low energy breed LOL. Spoke to her for about an hour, convinced her to let the pup sleep indoors in her garage at least , sold her puppy food, advised her that the pup was really to young to be going to a new home yet if she insisted on going ahead gave her a few tips. Lady leaves shop after spending a fair few bob on all her bits and pieces for the puppy. She came back the next day to return the bed she has bought. She had taken the puppy to the vet when she had collected him and he told her that she was being way too soft on the puppy , that his breed was well used to sleeping outdoor and maybe put a lean to or something up for him to lie under :mad: she also returned the puppy food as the vet told her that she should not be spending money on a premium food unless ............... she was planning to stud him out later on.

Anyhow, this is just 2 examples of what I hear on an almost daily basis

These were not older ladies, or from a rural farming background. Both were successful , educated and IT literate. YET both of these ladies would have put in more effort buying a mobile phone ar a telly than they did to getting a puppy that woud live with them for many years.

I think education in our schools on animal welfare is very important but also we need to get the message across to adults as well and get people to face up to the responsibilities as dog owners.

The springer ended up being surrendered to a pound at 9 months old

they went out and then got a Bischon as " that would be much easier to look after," Bischon is now about 8 (ish) months old and has yet to be groomed. :-( I often wonder how long he will last. :-(

willow tree · 05-06-2011 10:14am

hpsheba,
unfortunately im not suprised by the ignorance of those women, intelligent people out there that act in nonsensical ways,

but the vet:mad::mad::mad: what kind of advice is that?/? how are we meant to progress when vets are giving out advice like that?( i have to say ive heard of gp's giving similarly bad advice about babies), maybe they(vets) are too academic and not enough common sense:( poor doggies suffer because of it, if that woman had just listened to you and not that vet...well, its very annoying. more education in schools for sure:)

Discodog · 05-06-2011 10:42am

hpsheba wrote: »

she also returned the puppy food as the vet told her that she should not be spending money on a premium food unless ............... she was planning to stud him out later on.

:eek: Most Vets these days would of persuaded her to feed it Hill's & to buy it from them !.

If you play Devil's Advocate you can argue that by buying one dog you kill another dog. Many here would find this idea to be offensive but it is very hard to argue against.

The real problem is the prevalent attitude that dogs are disposable. But it will take generations to change that so, in the meantime, there are thousands of dogs that die because someone chooses to buy rather than rehome. I suspect that if only 50% of people rehomed instead of buying we would not be killing many dogs.

Chinasea · 05-06-2011 10:50am

When I see pictures on the front of the Irish Independent newspaper endorsing supposed cutsie photos of an 11 year old girl holding up pups up for sale atPuckfair I despair - when I see the front of the Buy & Sell paper with pictures of all kinds of breeds of dogs up for sale I despair even further and when we see the numbers of abandoned dogs in rescue centres I have to ask what kind of a dysfunctional nation are we?

Cherry Blossom · 05-06-2011 11:40am

It's a pity Done deal adverts that look like this are not the norm, have never seen this before on the site. A very pleasant surprise!

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/dogs/1597022

Benny Cake · 07-06-2011 6:53pm

Is there a definitive list of pounds/shelters in Ireland broken down by county? I've tried my auld pal google but can't find a comprehensive listing...

Thanks,

K

Ditch · 07-06-2011 7:03pm

K; Maybe we could start compiling one, right here?

Co. Leitrim has a privately run 'No Kill Shelter'. Cavan, I believe, has a council pound ~ I'd have to verify that. Louth has a council pound.

I can easily find the score in Mayo ..... No idea about Longford.

Have ye a criteria ye'd like to work to? Opinions and experiences are sure to differ. But, maybe we folks here could rustle up a sort of 'Chart' of pounds / rescues, by county and perceived 'quality'?

ISDW · 07-06-2011 7:06pm

D_Red_Army wrote: »

Is there a definitive list of pounds/shelters in Ireland broken down by county? I've tried my auld pal google but can't find a comprehensive listing...

Thanks,

K

I think Irish Animals has one - www.irishanimals.ie

crally · 07-06-2011 10:05pm

Hi www.irishanimals.ie gives a list of counties with diff rescues. The pounds are doing great work in rehoming directly. Galway: MADRA, EGAR, GSPCA. Limerick: LAW. also www.dogsindistress.ie. Facebook has Irish animals and lots of rescues advertise there. also http://petsireland.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=79001

that should keep you going...:)

Vast number of abandoned dogs in Ireland

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