The number of dogs ending up in the Letterkenny Pound continues to rise according to the latest shocking figures released by the Government.
The figure has once again passed the 500 mark, with 548 dogs spending time in the Letterkenny Pound during 2016, up from 533 the previous year.
The number of dogs being put down has dropped by almost 100 dogs to 85 dogs this year, and 127 dogs were reclaimed or rehomed.
However, the number of dogs being taken out by voluntary rescue Animals In Need (AIN) has risen to 335, an increase of 50 dogs from the previous year.
Animals In Need is the only rescue that takes dogs from the Letterkenny Pound every week, sometimes twice a week if there are young pups left in there, but now the Rescue finds itself in danger of closing, which would be a grim outcome for the vulnerable animals of Donegal.
An Animals In Need spokesperson said; “Sadly we are in danger of closing down if we don’t get a new van soon to transport all these dogs from the Pound and to their foster homes, plus the hundreds of dogs we collect and transport that are surrendered by their owners.”
Before the charity formed eleven years ago over 1,000 dogs were put down in the Pound every year.
“Let’s not go back to those dark days,” the AIN spokesperson appealed.
The charity’s current van is on its last legs and they are desperately trying to raise funds to buy a new one to carry out this vital service.
AIN explained; “We need to raise €25,000 to buy a van that is approved by the Department of Agriculture, has specially fitted travel crates for the dogs, air-conditioning and lighting.”
She continued; “We regularly collect around a dozen dogs from the Pound on a Saturday. These are often big dogs, mostly collies, but also huskies, greyhounds and even a great dane. We can’t fit 12 big dogs in the back of a car!”
Starved great dane pup Bella
AIN have launched a fundraising campaign in order to buy the van they urgently need, and so far have raised over €9,000.
“This is fantastic” AIN said, “the response and generosity is great, everyone’s being very good. But we still have a long way to go to reach our target and if every animal lover out there donated a few euro then we will get there and can continue rescuing all these animals. This will be a van bought by the good people of Donegal to help the animals of Donegal.”
Blind abandoned collie Stevie
AIN also help people in need by supporting those who, due to illness, bereavement, emigration, domestic violence or a sudden change in circumstances, need temporary foster care or new homes for their animals.
Animals In Need is an entirely voluntary organisation and the charity has rescued almost a thousand animals this year, mostly dogs and cats.
If you can help them to continue saving animals lives in any way please donate by following this link:
https://www.gofundme.com/save-animals-in-need-from-closure
