'Heartbreaking': Almost 3,000 homeless dogs in shelters

On Tuesday, it became illegal to import, breed, sell and rehome XL bully dogs in Ireland. A full ownership ban comes into effect on February 1.

Almost 3,000 dogs are currently housed in rescues and pounds throughout Ireland, as advocates warned the pressure on the system in this country is “unrelenting” and at “maximum capacity”.

A census conducted by Madra Dog Rescue with Galway County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development of over 120 rescue organisations has highlighted the “grave reality” faced by vulnerable animals, according to Madra.

“After years of progress between rescues and pounds, and significant efforts to educate the public, it’s heartbreaking to still see such large numbers of homeless dogs,” a spokesperson said. 

“As surrender and abandonment remains an ongoing issue, countless dogs are left facing an uncertain future.” 

Dog ban

Exacerbating the current problem is the Government’s ban on XL Bully dogs. While a ban on importing, breeding, selling and re-homing XL Bully-types took effect on Tuesday, a full ban on owning such dogs comes into effect on February 1 next year.

Other factors that are contributing to the number of dogs without a home is a “surge in dog surrenders and abandonment persisting” after the pandemic.

Although the 2,924 dogs in rescues and pounds is a slight decrease on last year, participants in the survey said they are operating at their very limit.

“The exact number of the hundreds, and possibly thousands, of dogs waiting to enter the system remains unquantifiable, and the pressure on the rescues and pounds is unrelenting,” Madra said.

It added that maximum capacity is the “sad reality” for all the shelters and pounds that took part in the census. It asked for the public’s help in a variety of ways, including considering the commitment before adopting or buying a dog.