More money for Laois animal welfare as warning issued about Christmas pet giving

The Laois Society of Prevention of Cruelty to animals is getting more cash to fund its work according to the local minister who says people should not give animals as  Christmas gifts.

Laois Offaly based Minister Pippa Hackett announced a 15% increase in core funding for animal welfare charities including Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. 

The Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture today said that animal welfare remains a priority for her personally and for the Green Party within Government.

 “I was lead negotiator on animal welfare during Programme for Government negotiations and I am immensely proud of what we are achieving in this area including year on year increases in funding.

"Today’s announcement of the Animal Welfare Grant Programme for Registered Animal Charities represents a 15% increase on last year’s core funding and in many cases includes additional funding for education and throughput," she said.

Laois SPCA receives €38,250, Offaly SPCA receives €40,825 and Westmeath SPCA €20,400. Minister Hackett said a total of €5.8m is being spent on animal welfare across all counties which she said represents a third year in a row of record funding.

"We have a strong, active voluntary sector dedicated to animal welfare, and I thank them for their tireless efforts. I also thank Minister McConalogue for his personal commitment to this funding and to the officials in the Department of Agriculture who work closely with many of the animal welfare organisations.

"In an ideal world there would be no surrendered or abandoned animals and that is why the education and awareness element of organisations work is so valuable," she said.

The Geashill-based politician had a message for people thinking about gifts for Christmas.

“It is a good time to renew my annual call not to give the gift of an animal at Christmas: Giving a home to an animal is a big decision with both financial and time cost implications. Rehoming a rescue animal can be immensely rewarding, as I know from personal experience, but it needs careful planning. A rushed or under researched decision can lead to unnecessary distress for the animal and add to the workload of the animal welfare organisations: Better for all to get the decision right first time," she said.

 The Minister said the funding announcement for animal welfare organisations is evidence of this Government’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare. She said organisations in the Midlands and elsewhere play a crucial role in ensuring all animals are cared for and protected. She said this is frontline work that to be proud of and support.