THERE HAS BEEN a huge increase in the number of animals needing to be rescued in Ireland.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said today that it has had to rescue 48 per cent more dogs, 20 per cent more cats and 21 per cent more equines (such as horses and ponies) this year compared to last year.

It says that because of the recession, there are now fewer people available to adopt animals because they cannot afford to take on a new pet.

This week is World Animal Week, which runs until 9 October, and the ISPCA is asking people to consider adopting a rescued animal or making a donation to the charity.

The ISPCA is in need of funds to help it carry out its work rescuing animals and improving animal welfare in Ireland.

ISPCA Chief Executive Noel Griffin said:

The ISPCA depends on voluntary donations to carry out our work and current funds are insufficient to meet these demands.

Times are tough and will get even tougher this winter so please help us to ensure that all animals are cared for, not neglected or abandoned.

He added that World Animal Week was a good time to get involved and show you care about animals:

Together we can make a difference.

It emerged in April that dogs taken in by the ISPCA are more likely to be put to sleep than those taken in by other dog controlling agencies.

At the time, the ISPCA said these figures were higher because the organisation does not send animals abroad to be rehoused or put to sleep.

Recent cases seen by the ISPCA include that of a man who was convicted of animal cruelty in Sligo after the remains of a donkey, and a further eight donkeys and four horses in poor condition were found in a field.