More animals are being abandoned, abused, or neglected since the pandemic ended, a welfare charity revealed.
The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched an urgent emergency appeal today called “Stop the Pain” following a sharp rise in cruelty cases across Ireland.
They said the surge which began following the Covd-19 pandemic is placing a significant financial burden and demand on the organisation.
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ISPCA CEO Dr Cyril Sullivan said the number of cruelty cases and neglected animals was expected to be double the number this year compared with 2022.
He told RTE: “Our annual numbers for last year have effectively arrived in the first half of this year.
“So, we’re going to have double the numbers of cruelty cases and neglected animals coming.”
The charity revealed during the first quarter of 2023, they have rescued nearly 700 animals and said they have witnessed an 80% rise in animals under care.
Four of their centres in Donegal, Longford, Mallow, and Wicklow have reached maximum occupancy levels.
ISPCA said to meet the increased demands their estimated annual costs have risen to more than €500,000 solely to house dogs in private kennels or temporary facilities.
Dogs, in particular, have been at the forefront of cases of abandonment or cruelty since the end of the pandemic.
Dr Sullivan said during the Covid-19 pandemic demand for pooches jumped while everybody was at home but once people returned to work the “market effectively died overnight”.
He also revealed how one ISPCA inspector visited a property where 116 dogs were found in a small room in cages. The pooches had no light, no exercise, and had no food.
The charity boss said anybody found abusing an animal faces fines of up to €250,000 along with a five-year prison sentence for cruelty cases.
He added: “The penalties are there, the legislation is there. I think the issue really is more just pushing resources into enforcement.”
As more animals are expected to be rescued, the financial strain and pressure put on the ISPCA is expected to increase.
But the charity has vowed they are still committed to helping every animal that is in need and stressed they have not turned any away.
They also made no animal that needed to be rescued has been neglected.
Dr Pete Wedderburn, who is a veterinary surgeon and ISPCA trustee, explained how bad the situation had become.
He explained: “The pandemic may be over, but its impact is going to stay with our pets for some time into the future.
“The most significant impact is the large number of cruelty cases being encountered by the ISPCA at this time.
“There is now more than ever an urgent need for the public to get behind the ISPCA to provide a safe haven for those animals that need our care and a chance of a good life in a loving forever home”.
While ISPCA CEO Dr Sullivan described it as a “crisis” and said a “significant slowdown” in rehoming healthy dogs was causing a problem.
He explained: “This is a crisis. We urgently need your support and help.
"The ISPCA has witnessed an unprecedented number of animals rescued from cruel situations.
“Several factors have contributed to the surge in cruelty cases encountered by the ISPCA inspectorate since late 2022, continuing into 2023.”
The charity boss added: “Key among these factors is the significant slowdown in the response to rehoming healthy dogs.
“When animals are found to be suffering, the Irish public and ISPCA supporters understand that the charity will take immediate action to ensure their safety.
“But the financial burden of providing secure housing and care for these animals has become overwhelming.
"Your support can make all the difference, animals need our help now, there is no time to waste. We need your support.”
Dr Sullivan made a desperate plea for donations and asked people to support them in whatever they could.
He said it was “our civic duty” to protect the animal kingdom.
Dr Sullivan pleaded: “I am calling on the Irish public to support us in any way they can, we need assistance to securely house all these animals in need and ensure they receive the treatment they deserve.
“As a nation, it is our civic duty to protect and care for our animal kingdom. All donations, big or small, make a difference.
“It will take just a moment to donate but the impact for animals could last their lifetime.
“These donations will go to providing immediate temporary care for all dogs coming into our care, as well as facilitating the ISPCA to extend our own kennel capacity in our Animal Centres.”
The charity said all donations “make a difference” before adding that the animals of Ireland “need your support”.
Donations can be made through www.ispca.ie/dwonate or by contacting their offices directly on 043 332 5035.
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