Increase in numbers of dogs rehomed

The number of dogs euthanised has decreased dramatically, going from 317 in 2011, to 45 in 2015. A further 175 dogs have been transferred to dog welfare groups.

That's according to county veterinary officer, Seán Ó Laoide, who says that with the help of dedicated volunteers at Mullingar Dog Shelter, the fortunes of abandoned dogs have improved vastly.
Giving the example of a dog called Duke, Mr Ó Laoide explains how the stray wound up in Mullingar pound, only to be reclaimed by his owner – who later returned Duke to the pound when he no longer wanted him.
'He is now the centre for the ‘All For Animals’ calendar. After his ordeal, Duke was rescued by a local welfare group and he went into foster care.
“When all the paperwork was complete, Duke went to a new home in Sweden and he is living a wonderful healthy life there with his new family,' said Mr Ó Laoide. 'Stories like this can be credited to Maeve O’Donoghue, a volunteer in the pound.
“Because of her dedication there has been a dramatic increase in dogs finding homes. Maeve set up the Mullingar Dog Shelter Facebook page and it is through this network of contacts that the number of dogs euthanised has dropped dramatically.'
The dog mound is located in Zone B, Mullingar Business Park and opens three mornings a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to noon.

 

• Check out facebook.com/Mullingardogshelter. ‘All For Animals’ is a non-profit Irish organisation supporting many Irish animal welfare groups.