International Section
This section is for animal lovers overseas who wish to help Irish animals. The situation in Ireland for animals is far from ideal. We have outdated, ineffective legislation and many animals including our cats live in a sort of "limbo".
Cats
Although recognised as domestic animals under the 1911, Protection of Animals Act, cats are treated as little more than vermin. Most of the so called "feral" or "wild" cats encountered in this country are nothing more than abandoned domestic cats (or their descendents) left to their fate by uncaring or irresponsible owners. These animals who had come to depend on humans for their welfare are at the mercy of other animals, the weather, disease and most importantly man. Many abandoned cats in Ireland meet their death at human hands.
Cats should be properly recognised as domestic animals and should be protected under the law.
Dogs
How is man's best friend treated? Do dogs fare any better than cats? Only barely, there are dog pounds for stray and abandoned dogs and we have a Control of Dogs Act, which is intended to do just that - control dogs! As an Act, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It is not, strictly speaking, a welfare act, its primary role is to protect livestock from dogs. Dogs are either picked up off the streets, brought to the pound by people who have found them, or surrendered to the pound by their owners.
Stray dogs get just 5 days in Irish pounds after which time they can be destoyed, and many are. If a dog is surrendered, for whatever reason, that dog can be destroyed immediately. Dogs are surrendered for many reasons, they get too big, they bark, they chew things, they are not all vicious or aggressive. Despite this, 16,598 dogs out of a total of 24,716 were destroyed in Ireland in 2004.
We need education on animal welfare, compulsory neuter/spay and microchipping, accountability of County Councils and pounds. This issue has been ignored for too long, many animals have suffered and will continute to suffer while we do nothing. In the words of Edmund Burke, "All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing".
We need to make this an international issue, you can help by contacting the Irish Ambassador in the country you live in and tell him this situation is unacceptable. Our animals desperately need your help, please write that letter, make a difference for them all.
They need a voice and you can give them one!
How you can help!
If your country is not listed, please contact us at info@anvilireland.ie
This section is for animal lovers overseas who wish to help Irish animals. The situation in Ireland for animals is far from ideal. We have outdated, ineffective legislation and many animals including our cats live in a sort of "limbo".
Cats
Although recognised as domestic animals under the 1911, Protection of Animals Act, cats are treated as little more than vermin. Most of the so called "feral" or "wild" cats encountered in this country are nothing more than abandoned domestic cats (or their descendents) left to their fate by uncaring or irresponsible owners. These animals who had come to depend on humans for their welfare are at the mercy of other animals, the weather, disease and most importantly man. Many abandoned cats in Ireland meet their death at human hands.
Cats should be properly recognised as domestic animals and should be protected under the law.
Dogs
How is man's best friend treated? Do dogs fare any better than cats? Only barely, there are dog pounds for stray and abandoned dogs and we have a Control of Dogs Act, which is intended to do just that - control dogs! As an Act, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It is not, strictly speaking, a welfare act, its primary role is to protect livestock from dogs. Dogs are either picked up off the streets, brought to the pound by people who have found them, or surrendered to the pound by their owners.
Stray dogs get just 5 days in Irish pounds after which time they can be destoyed, and many are. If a dog is surrendered, for whatever reason, that dog can be destroyed immediately. Dogs are surrendered for many reasons, they get too big, they bark, they chew things, they are not all vicious or aggressive. Despite this, 16,598 dogs out of a total of 24,716 were destroyed in Ireland in 2004.
We need education on animal welfare, compulsory neuter/spay and microchipping, accountability of County Councils and pounds. This issue has been ignored for too long, many animals have suffered and will continute to suffer while we do nothing. In the words of Edmund Burke, "All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing".
We need to make this an international issue, you can help by contacting the Irish Ambassador in the country you live in and tell him this situation is unacceptable. Our animals desperately need your help, please write that letter, make a difference for them all.
They need a voice and you can give them one!
How you can help!
If your country is not listed, please contact us at info@anvilireland.ie
