Donegal-based Animals In Need rescued over 1,400 animals during 2018 according to the latest figures released by the charity.
This is a huge rise with the number of animals rescued double that of two years ago when 700 animals were saved.
The animals rescued during 2018 included 525 cats and kittens, 565 dogs and puppies (either from the Pound, surrendered by their owners or pups born to rescued dogs) and 295 feral cats were Trapped, Neutered and Returned (T/N/R) or relocated if necessary.
The more unusual rescues included a turtle, a rabbit, a sparrowhawk, 4 gannets, 4 guinea pigs, 4 orphaned Blue Tit chicks, an injured seal, a bearded dragon (rehomed), an albino hedgehog (rehomed) and two ferrets (rehomed).
A spokesperson for Animals In Need said ‘The number of animals we have to rescue and rehome each year is rising and this year the numbers have soared, from 700 in 2016, 900 during 2017 and now over 1,400 in the past year.’
Despite the escalating demands on the organisation, the ever increasing number of animals needing help are still being dealt with by a small dedicated group of unpaid volunteers.
Animals In Need said ‘The pressure on the volunteers is immense. Many of these animals are injured, sick or neglected when they arrive so it isn’t just a matter of finding them new homes. They often need veterinary treatment, nursing and rehabilitation before we can do that.’
She added ‘Many of the animals also bear emotional scars when they arrive, that need time and patience and plenty of TLC from their fosterers to allow them to heal emotionally as well as physically.’
AIN said ‘The bottom line is that people still aren’t neutering their animals and there are just too many animals being born with no homes for them to go to.’
‘We would appeal to people to please do the right thing for your pet or for any homeless cats in your community and to get them neutered and thereby help to solve the problem rather than add to it.’
Animals in Need would like to thank everyone who has supported the charity over the past 13 years, whether that be as a volunteer, a fosterer, by fundraising, driving the rescue van, working for free in the Animals In Need charity shops, donating or in any other way.
As the volunteers prepare to face another year of rescue, the animals are already pouring through their doors.
‘In the first week of 2019 we’ve already rescued 9 dogs from the Letterkenny Pound and currently have over 40 dogs and 75 cats in our care.’
‘There’s so many animals needing help and so few of us, but what else can we do.’ AIN concluded.
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