Dogs Trust appeals for donations as it reports 45% rise in puppy intake

Spaniel cross Sadbh, who Dogs Trust recently re-homed. Picture: Dogs Trust/Twitter

A leading dog welfare charity says it has seen a 45% increase in the number of puppies taken into its care since January.

Since the beginning of the year, Dogs Trust says it has taken in seven pregnant dogs, which have given birth to 58 puppies.

Dogs Trust has a purpose-built puppy unit at its facility, and it regularly takes in pregnant dogs and those who have recently given birth from dog pounds and other animal welfare organisations across the country.

Last year, Dogs Trust cared for 637 mums and puppies, 139 of whom were born at its centre in Dublin.

The charity says dogs which are taken into its care often arrive in an upsetting condition and in need of urgent veterinary treatment from the charity’s team of dedicated puppy-carers.

Ahead of Mother’s Day this Sunday, the charity has issued an appeal for donations and support.

Launching the appeal, Dogs Trust highlighted the story of Sadbh, a three-year-old spaniel crossbreed, who was seized by a local authority dog warden in Dublin due to the “abhorrent” conditions in which she was being kept.

Sadly, one of Sadbh's two puppies did not survive. Picture: Fran Veale/Dogs Trust

When the vet examined Sadbh and her two weak puppies, all three were underweight and covered in fleas. Sadly, one of the puppies did not survive. Mam Sadbh also had to undergo treatment for skin and eye issues.

Despite all she went through the “incredibly sweet and friendly” Sadbh was recently adopted by a family who already adopted another dog who was herself surrendered to Dogs Trust with two young puppies.

“Such a huge amount of work goes into caring for dogs like this, especially young puppies as they are so fragile and often come from mums who haven’t been vaccinated, leaving them very susceptible to potentially fatal viruses,” said Dogs Trust’s head of communications for Ireland, Ciara Murran.

“They require constant monitoring, cleaning, and of course lots of love, affection, and reassurance from our team.

Sadbh, a three-year-old spaniel that arrived in awful condition with her weak, underweight puppies and 10-year-old pitbull cross Bella. Picture: Fran Veale/Dogs Trust

“As a charity that receives no government funding, we rely solely on the generosity of our supporters and are appealing for people to consider donating to us this Mother’s Day, so we can continue to save pregnant dogs and their puppies.”

At present, Dogs Trust is caring for 238 dogs in need of homes. More information on the charity's work, and the dogs in its care, can be found at www.dogstrust.ie.