In a country where animal cruelty is widespread, have your say on animal welfare before it's too late

As Ireland drafts a new animal welfare strategy, Irish Examiner reporter Alison O'Reilly’s experience reveals the human cost behind abandoned pets

Alison O'Reilly with two of her six rescue dogs, Poha and Minnie. Pictures: Moya Nolan

Eight of the saddest eyes I have ever seen stared out at me from my laptop screen and underneath their faces were the words "we would love if they were not separated".

It was the word "separated" that drew me in even more as I scrolled through the “dogs available for adoption” section on the former Collon Sanctuary’s Facebook page in Co Louth.