Emaciated puppies rescued from bog as 400 dogs surrendered to Irish charity since Christmas

The saying, "a puppy is not just for Christmas", certainly rings true as Dogs Trust Ireland has reported an alarming surge in surrender requests, with 412 pleas for assistance pouring in since Christmas Day.

The distressing figure comes on the heels of the charity handling 3,968 surrender requests in the previous year, marking the highest volume since its establishment in 2009.

The reasons provided by owners seeking to relinquish their dogs vary, with common factors including a lack of time, accommodation issues, and unwanted behaviors. This surge in surrender requests has put immense pressure on shelters across the nation, exacerbating the issue of dog abandonment.

Dogs Trust recently took in and cared for two emaciated Pitbull crossbreed puppies who were found at a bog in Donadea, Co Kildare by a shocked member of the public.

Sandra Ruddell, Assistant Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland explains: "The sight of these two, defenceless little pups with their bones protruding broke my heart. We know there is very little rescue space available at the moment by the sheer volume of dogs we are being asked to take in, but we are begging people not to abandon their dogs, especially young puppies who have very little chance of survival if not discovered quickly."

Corina Fitzsimons, PR & Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, expressed deep concern over the increase in dog abandonment cases, particularly involving young puppies. Fitzsimons said: "While don’t know what would drive someone to abandon them in such a way, it’s clear that in their short lives, they hadn’t received the love and care that all puppies need."

Dogs Trust Ireland, having successfully found loving homes for 1,042 dogs in 2023, anticipates even greater challenges in 2024 as their resources are stretched thin.

The charity is now appealing to the public for support through their 'Save the Next Dog' campaign, urging donations via www.DogsTrust.ie/Crisis. Additionally, individuals capable of fostering dogs temporarily are encouraged to visit www.DogsTrust.ie/Fostering for more information.