By Joe Barrett
For the first time since its creation, the Laois Cara Rescue Dogs animal protection group can no longer accommodate dogs.
Since its inception in Portlaoise in November 2011, the voluntary organization has spent over £1million on veterinary costs, as well as rescuing and caring for over 3,500 dogs.
In a post on their Facebook page, the group said: “Unfortunately we have come to this. Without more foster homes and funds, we simply cannot take in any more dogs. Every foster home is full and our volunteers are exhausted.
Last year, when the group celebrated its tenth anniversary, it estimated that “its veterinary costs alone (excluding food, etc.) had exceeded one million euros since we started. Most dogs cost us a basic €250 for full vet work (vaccine, microchipping, neutering), but many other individual dogs have cost us thousands, especially lately. Broken bones and bodies, extensive internal surgeries and visits to the specialist vet. But every euro is accounted for and well spent.
In their recent plea for help, the group said: ‘Please, if you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time. We all knew pandemic dogs would impact the rescue world. But we really never thought it would be this bad.
“It’s not just people looking to give up their dogs, the number of injured and sick dogs has also drained our funds. And what scares us the most is that we know he hasn’t even not yet reached its maximum.
“With the volume of unwanted puppies/dogs, the pounds are full, the rescues are full, our hearts are heavy and empty because the words that hurt us the most are saying no, we can’t help.”
If you think you can help promote you are welcome to email [email protected] for an application form. All food, bedding, toys, leashes, vet bills, etc. will be fully covered by the group.
You can also donate to the band’s PayPal account https://www.paypal.me/CaraRescueDogs or by sound Revolution aaccount to revolut.me/lorraia0u7
Cara Rescue Dogs is a non-profit organization, has no paid workers and all of its members are volunteers.
