THE ISPCA IS warning that many equines will starve this winter due to neglect – and that their owners may have abandoned them or not provided adequate feed and shelter during the harsh winter months.

It is launching its hay drive today in order to raise essential funds to help the ISPCA “cope with the distressing deluge of horses, ponies, donkeys and foals that have been dumped or left to die”.

ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said that last year the ISPCA saw a dramatic increase in the number of starving animals requiring the assistance of its inspectors.

“The number of equines admitted to our rehabilitation centres increased by over 100 per cent compared with the previous year,” he explained.

In 2013, the ISPCA received and responded to 1,933 equine distress calls related to cruelty, neglect or abuse to horses, ponies, foals and donkeys.

He said that the ISPCA is regularly stretched beyond capacity, which is why it needs the help to continue its work.

In addition to its Hay Drive, the ISPCA said it is continuing to call for strong enforcement of regulations governing identification of equines and the registration of premises where they are housed “in order to promote responsible equine ownership”.

The ISPCA is asking people who want to donate to text Hay to 50300 to donate €4 or make a monthly gift of €4 through its website. They say the money will buy a bale of hay and feed a neglected horse.

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