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THE DUBLIN SOCIETY for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) has urged the public to consider the responsibilities of pet ownership before making the decision to adopt a dog or cat this Christmas, as the rescue organisation recorded a sharp increase in cruelty cases and abandoned pets in recent times.
The DSPCA said in December that it had reported a 20% increase in cruelty cases, as well as an increase of 54% in the number of animals surrendered to its 32-acre Rathfarnham shelter.
The leading animal charity recently launched its Christmas fundraising appeal, aiming to ease financial pressures for next year as staff prepare for increasing pet abandonment rates in 2025.
The charity rescued close to 3,000 animals in 2024, according to Suzanne McGovern, Director of Communications at the DSPCA. These included dogs, cats, birds, hamsters and a range of farm animals.
McGovern stressed the importance of thoughtful consideration and planning when bringing a new animal into the home.
“Adopting a pet is a significant commitment, and it is important to ensure that all family members are in agreement with the decision,” McGovern said.
“Often, one family member may be more enthusiastic about adoption, but it is essential that everyone is on board. Prospective adopters should consider their lifestyle, whether they lead an active life, travel frequently, and whether they have the financial means to support a pet.”
McGovern advised against rushing into adoption, particularly during the holiday season.
“There are many animals in rescues across Ireland that are in need of loving homes. These animals may have been let down by previous owners and are simply seeking a second chance,” she said.
“Adopters should visit rescue centres and focus on the temperament of the animal, rather than just the breed. It is crucial to choose a pet that is well-suited to the family environment.”
The DSPCA also urged caution for those considering purchasing a pet from a breeder.
According to ISPCA estimates, 30,000 puppies a year are being produced in Irish puppy factories. This figure does not take account of the number of puppies who are born to backyard breeders, illegal puppy farmers or registered sellers, which, according to the DSPCA, is around 70,000 per year.
“Ireland is known for being one of the largest puppy farming regions in Europe, with animals often kept in inhumane conditions,” McGovern said.
“While some breeders may present puppies in staged, family-friendly environments, these situations are often deceptive. We strongly encourage prospective pet owners to choose adoption over purchasing from breeders.”
McGovern further emphasized the importance of patience and consistency when settling in a newly adopted pet.
“Bringing a dog into a new home is a significant change for the animal. It can take several weeks for them to adjust to new people, new smells, and a new environment,” she said.
McGovern explained that establishing a routine early on is critical – regular feeding times, daily walks, and consistent bedtime routines help the animal settle in and feel secure.
She acknowledged that many new pet owners may experience initial challenges in the first few weeks.
“It is common for people to feel anxious if their new dog does not immediately adapt to the home environment. However, it is important to remain patient and committed to the routine,” McGovern said.
“Over time, the dog will settle and form a strong bond with its new family. All they seek is love, loyalty, and companionship.”
McGovern added that there can be challenging behaviours as puppies reach their “teenage phase” after several months.
“As puppies mature, they can exhibit new, sometimes challenging behaviours. It is crucial to continue training throughout this stage, which typically occurs between six months and one year of age,” she explained.
“Many pet owners may find this phase difficult and may confuse these behaviours with undesirable traits. However, proper training and socialization are essential to navigating this phase successfully.”
DSPCA and a number of rescue centres nationwide offer a varied selection of dog training courses for new pet owners to avail of in the new year.
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Take note any Labour or Green voters who mistakenly believe they’re voting for left wing parties.
@Rochelle Hart: Why do supposedly left-wing parties support reducing the money DCC has to spend, by repeatedly reducing property tax?
That’s a populist policy, not a left policy. Greens + Labour are right to pull out of that BS.
@Michael Barry: Because they believe in housing as an essential right, not as assets to be taxed.
The property tax doesn’t serve as a wealth tax since it applies to even those in the most modest homes and since it’s beyond a council’s remit to remove the property tax, the best they can do is reduce the impact.
@Michael Barry: because many people on low incomes just happen to be in houses that have become valuable.
Do you propose taxing people out of their homes or having them live in unheated homes and all for big government to squander it on wasters and illegal immigrants
@Michael Barry: That is a bit of a red herring that labour included in their press statement. But there was no requirement in the progressive alliance to vote one way or another on the property tax. Socdems have consistently voted to have the maximum property tax within the +15 percent limit allowed. FG and FF have consistently voted to reduce it in the past. It’s unlikely that Labour can make them vote to increase it. That represents a very small part of the overall council budget (2% from the article I saw on Dublin Inquirer which has lots of detail). So the feeling was that pushing for a left alliance was the most important thing.
@David O’Reilly: and I think that the property tax should have some kind of means test. As people said above there are so many people with a fixed income who really struggle with that bill and they may just have a ginormously expensive house because of Ireland’s cyclical crackers property market. I hear it constantly when I’m talking to people in North Dublin anyway. Lots of people who can pay it without batting an eyelid though. It should be clear what they are getting for that though – like in the UK council tax is pretty big but you get your bins and lots of council services that are apparent like street cleaning etc.
That sounds like a solid coalition. I give it 3 months.
@honey badger: I’m sure they care that you give it anytime at all. At least they are trying to change things all you seem to do with your time is post dribble on here
@Ger Whelan: In fairness the lot of them would fall out with their own shadows…..3 months is very ootimistic!!
Great idea in principle. The only way to have real change is that all left leaning parties to come together to vote out fgff,
Labour and greens could be wiped out next election.
So they need to decide what side of history they want to be on.
Labour sold out and electorate don’t forget that. If they have any chance, they need to go back to their roots of supporting the ordinary workers.
Disgraceful Labour, they are at it all over again.
Propping up FF FG.
Refusing to enter left alliance in Dublin city Council.
You won’t see my vote ever again
@Niall Murphy: You don’t understand local politics if you think this is about “propping up FFG”
@Michael Barry: or that SF are left. All they are doing is bandwagoning. They’ll soon exhaust all possibilities.
@Alan: ” bandwagoning” excellent, even my predictive text couldn’t offer an alternative to that……I’ll use in discussion
They’ll be riding unicorns are the chamber in no time. Rainbows everywhere.
Well done Labour. Never get into bed with terrorists.
@Dave c: They already did that when they jumped into bed with FF. Its founding members were originally part of SF and the IRA and split to form their own political party and terrorist movement which caused the Civil war.
@Ger Whelan: That was different Sinn Fein party – learn your history
@Sean Hayes: Better tell them to Update their official website so. Because there it shows its history back to its founding in the early 1900′s.
@Ger Whelan: Everything was found in this country in the 1900s .
If the parties put themselves forward under a Progressive Alliance in the coming general election they could have a breakthrough chance.
@9QRixo8H: such a diverse groups of malcontents would never be able to agree a joint program nationally. Even Sinn Fein would be reluctant to try to form a government that included PBP. When the election comes, the left parties will split the vote as per usual. The old story, governments don’t win elections, the opposition lose them.
@9QRixo8H: Are you serious? They collectively would garner 8% of the vote, if even that in a GE.
This is another ” refurbishment ” of their failed policies, and claptrap .
I honestly thought you had an idea of this works based on your posts, its OK to promote something but to tie to this is farcical.
Exactly
Alliance? More like Axis.
It won’t last there b a falling out somewhere
Lunatics/asylum
Dublin City Council should be disbanded and the management of Fingal brought in to run things.
@Notty Tee: frying pan/fire. Fingal.is about as bad as it gets.
@Notty Tee: that’s hilarious
Labour costing up to FF on the councils
Amazing! Now do something about all the scroats ruining our city!!
Great, a Far Lazy alliance of doleheads to spend my tax money on the bone idle.
In France they’d be called le Front Populaire. When will they split?
The Left axis here is primarily driven by resentment. No one believes higher taxes results in better services. It just sucks money from the real economy. Small local businesses then need grants to survive. Higher taxation validated. The virtuous Left.
Does it really matter? Councillors have no power, all important decisions are made by the city manager. We don’t even get to vote for Lord Mayor the parties take turn enjoying that gig even if the chosen one is unfit for any office.
Any member of Labour is very welcome to join the Social Democrats.
have your say