People will be taking part in 'The Walk of Shame' for Ireland's animals over Easter

MORE THAN TWENTY animal charities across the country are planning ‘bare foot walks’ to raise funds and awareness of their work.

The idea was prompted by Irene Ellard, who operates a Facebook support group for animal charities known as The Green is Greener and is involved with local equine rescue centres as a volunteer.

She’s has dubbed the collection of walks as ‘The Walk of Shame for Ireland’s Betrayed Animals’.

What started as a single walk planned by Ellard herself, it has now spread to 22 rescues organising their own events over the Easter Bank Holiday.

The group behind the initiative have already started a campaign encouraging schools holding animal welfare days.

Children are asked to bring in a can of cat or dog food, or a small donation, which is then distributed various animal charities.

The money is intended to be used to buy hay for horse feeding programmes.

Charities taking part in walks so far include:

• Southeast Animal Rescue
• Charlie’s Equine Rescue Wexford
• New Ross SPCA
• Carlow SPCA
• My Lovely Horse Dublin
• Hungry Horse Outside Longford
• Dungarvan Animal Rescue
• Limerick Animal Welfare
• Mallow Animal Rescue Cork
• Skibbereen Animal Rescue Cork
• Carrick Dog Rescue Monaghan
• Coolronan Dog RescueMeath
• Forgotton Horses Galway
• East Galway Animal Rescue
• Irelands Equine Crisis Meath
• Holly’s Horse Haven Louth
• Cavan SPCA
• Lilly’s Animal Rescue Cavan
• Buren Animal Rescue Clare
• Glansillag Animal Rescue Cork
• AHAR Kerry
• Mo Chara Animal Rescue Tipperary
• North Mayo Horse Sanctuary Mayo
• Inistioge Puppy Rescue Kilkenny

Anyone who wants to get involved can contact irene.ellard@gmail.com.

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