Laois dog warden services to cost over €1,000 a day next year
Dog warden services were given a big boost in the 2027 Budget
The budget for the operation of dog warden services in Laois has increased by over €100,000 for next year.
The 2027 Budget provides for a total expenditure of €140,706,698, which is an increase of 5.8% on the 2026 Budget.
The operation of dog warden services was one of the areas which received a boost in funding for next year.
The Council has allocated €368,785 for dog warden services across the county next year. This is up over €100,000 from the 2026 Budget which had ringfenced €260,000 for these services.
In addition to this, other animal welfare services, which include horse control, were granted €35,000. However, this was slightly down by €1,000.
Service support costs have been given €62,678, which is up from €59,881.
This brings the total budget for veterinary services in Laois up to €466,463 for next year.
This comes following the appointment of Midland Animal Care Ltd earlier this year for dog warden services in the county and the management and operation of the dog pound in Ballacolla.
Director of Services at Laois County Council, Pat Delaney, said that 80% of next year’s funding for veterinary services will go towards the contract with Midland Animal Care Ltd and the remainder will cover service costs, campaigns and so on.
Before the appointment of Midland Animal Care Ltd in April, the ISPCA managed Laois Dog Pound since 1998 as part of a longstanding agreement with Laois County Council.
Midland Animal Care Ltd was established in 2014 and currently provides dog warden and dog shelter services for several other Local Authorities, including Carlow, Kilkenny, Meath, Roscommon, Clare and in South Dublin.
In Laois, they employ two dog wardens as well as two kennel assistants who look after the dog shelter.
The dog shelter in Ballacolla has an expected throughput of 150 - 200 dogs per annum and up to 16 dogs in the shelter at any one time.
It requires staffing 7 days per week as dogs must be checked, fed, watered, exercised daily and kennels must be cleaned.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme