Local animal charity forced to close shelter for now to new arrivals

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Local charity Animal Haven Ireland is appealing for additional government funding after being forced to stop accepting new animals to its shelter.

Based in Dysart, in South Roscommon, the animal welfare group is known for its huge efforts in rehoming dogs and cats.

The charity has a second location in Castle Island in Kerry, where it has 30 acres of land for horses, goats, hens, and rabbits.

Animal Haven Ireland depends almost entirely on donations, with less than 1% of expenses being covered by government funding. Last year, the charity received just €4,000 from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DFAM).

"We spent over €600,000 which had to be fundraised last year. People are great for donating online, and we really appreciate that," chairperson Billy Gallagher said. "Really, what we're appealing for is more funding from the government.

On February 9, the animal shelter was forced to close its gates to accepting new animals due to ongoing financial difficulties.

"Over the past year, we have spent €172,000 in vet bills alone," Chairperson Billy Gallagher said. "It's a combination of things. We have over 100 dogs in the kennels. If we get an older dog or a sick dog that needs veterinary care, that can be extremely expensive. It's €80 for vaccinations, and €120 for neutering - and all those bills are going up.

"Since the first of January we needed €17,796 worth of vet work for the animals in our care. At the moment we are using roughly €2,000 per week of supplies for the massive amount of animals at our centre - the biggest number in many years."

As well as vet bills, the charity also has a number of staff members who need to be paid a wage. It has eight staff, including kennel workers and a chartered accountant.

"We need both full-time and part-time staff to keep the kennels running, because you couldn't really depend on volunteers to take care of them every single day," Billy said.

The charity often receive animals surrendered from pounds across the country, which would otherwise be put down due to overcrowding. Billy added that rehoming older and bigger dogs is very challenging.

"People are less likely to take those dogs. Unfortunately if the pound needs to take in new dogs, the one that has been there the longest has to be put down to make space. If we don't take those dogs, that's the reality."

To learn more about Animal Haven Ireland, or to volunteer, search Animal Haven Ireland on Facebook, or go to: https://www.animal-haven-ireland.com/