TheJournal.ie uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click here to find out more »
Dublin: 14 °C Tuesday 21 May, 2013

Pound denies plan to put animals to rest

Six dogs at Cavan’s county pound are to be handed over to SPCA, so that a staff member can take holidays. Efforts to permanently re-home all the dogs are being made.

No dogs going to heaven from Cavan pound next week, according to County Council
No dogs going to heaven from Cavan pound next week, according to County Council
Image: Leon Farrell Photocall Ireland

CAVAN COUNTY COUNCIL has denied claims that animals at its pound will be put to sleep next week in order to allow staff to take their summer holidays.

A spokesperson for the local authority in charge of running the pound told TheJournal.ie that the six dogs currently homed at the pound will be temporarily looked after by Cavan Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The SPCA will step in when the lone staff member at the pound goes on annual leave from next Friday, 19 August.

The response comes after internet speculation this week that animals at the pound would be put to sleep while the staff member is unavailable.

The council says their policy is to put down animals who are dangerous or ill, but maintains they work closely with the SPCA to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

Dogs are kept at the pound for a minimum of 5 days before they can be re-homed – if a home can’t be found they are put down.

Cavan SPCA and Killarney-based rescue centre AHAR work with the pound on an ongoing basis to ensure that all dogs who can be re-homed, are re-homed.

Of the six dogs currently at the pound, some of them were only taken in today, so it’s not yet clear whether they will be successfully rehomed.

Lost & Found Pets Ireland has been working to raise money for the re-homing of the dogs through its Facebook page.

Earlier, Co Kerry-based Animal Heaven Animal Rescue founder Suzanne Gibbons thanked donors for their help in re-homing dogs.  She has also appealed to anyone who can offer a space to one of the dogs to contact her centre.

Meanwhile, Cavan County Council says it is not aware of any efforts to raise money for the pound, but said it supports any effort that ensures the health and welfare of the dogs.

It costs the local authority more than €86,500 a year to run the pound, over €80,500 of which comes from dog licence fees.

Read next:

Comments (6 Comments)

  • It was always gonna be a photo of a pug wasn’t it.

    Reply
  • Sad to say it, but unwanted pets that cannot be rehomed have to be put down. Otherwise shelters fill up and have to turn away others that could be rehomed, causing abandonment and suffering. Keep neutering!

    Reply
  • John- the POUND was never planning to put the dogs to sleep.The warden in the pound is one of the best warden you can have, constantly making re-homing efforts, working with rescues and doing everything he can. The blame has to be on the council for not hiring a replacement or even assistant to cover on holidays.A simple requirement.
    And, as a fact- the moment the warden goes on holiday, and there are dogs in there who have done their 5 days and have not been re-homed, they will be put down.End of.But not by choice of the warden.But by the rules Cavan county council is putting him under because they don’t hire a replacement.

    Reply
  • No need to hire a replacement use volunteer.ie and find the many qualified, experienced and willing people to look after the pound when people are on holidays and to assist the warden when they are working.

    many people would like to volunteer with animals and do have all the skills necessary – is there any accommodation as I would be happy to do this for a week if someone else will come in for the next week (presuming there is a fortnights holiday here).

    Lots of pounds, shelters do not kill animals and lots have no kill policies, these animals should be passed on to this long term care if their owners do not collect them within the 5 days. The Dept of Agriculture give grants to animal shelters around the country including DSPCA, GSPCA, CSPCA and numerous others !

    Reply
  • “Put to rest”..”put to sleep”…why the unnecessary euphemisms? Why not just use the headline: “Pound denies plan to kill animals”.

    Reply
  • Put down the looters and move the dogs into their rooms ;)

    Reply

Add New Comment