This week also includes World Animal Day on Wednesday, 4th October. Under the banner of ‘Cruelty No More’, National Animal Week aims to bring animal lovers together across Ireland create a powerful movement dedicated to eradicating animal cruelty.
As part of this exciting week, the ISPCA is pleased to announce a series of events, with the highlight being the ‘Cycle Away from Cruelty‘ fundraising event on Saturday, 7th October. Cyclists, which will include the board and senior management of the organisation will embark on a scenic journey circuit starting and finishing at the ISPCA’s Wicklow Animal Centre to raise funds for the organisation’s vital work. We would ask the public to support us and donate to this cycling fundraiser at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/ispcacycle. All the funds go towards the great work the ISPCA staff do in providing essential care for animals in need.
National Animal Week is set to be a landmark occasion, and the ISPCA invites the nation to join in a collective effort to protect and care for our animal friends. The campaign highlights the urgent need to address the increasing cases of animal cruelty and abandonment across the country while promoting responsible pet ownership and welfare.
In addition to the ‘Cycle Away from Cruelty’ event, there will be a range of additional activities throughout National Animal Week. The ISPCA is also continuing national emergency appeal to support the renting of external animal shelters for dogs, medical expenses, and other essential care for animals in need. The campaign is still receiving a number of donations, but there remains a large number of dogs and other animals in need of rescuing and this is still putting a significant financial strain on the organisation.
Dr. Cyril Sullivan, CEO of the ISPCA, expressed his enthusiasm for National Animal Week, stating
“Cruelty No More is not just a tagline; it’s a call to action for all animal lovers in Ireland. We are dedicated to creating a future where every animal is treated with the kindness and respect, they deserve. This campaign, and the events within National Animal Week, represent a significant step towards that goal. We are encouraging the public to get behind our campaign and to donate what they can to help animals in need every donation makes a difference.”
Furthermore, the ISPCA will release a policy paper proposing a new legislative framework advocating for the transfer of responsibility for monitoring Dog Breeder Establishments (DBEs) from Local Authorities to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. This proposal seeks to enhance oversight and regulation to ensure the welfare of dogs in breeding establishments, ultimately reducing cases of neglect and cruelty.
The ISPCA invites everyone to join in the inaugural National Animal Week celebrations, whether through participation in events, donations, or by spreading the message of ‘#CrueltyNoMore‘ on social media. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of animals across Ireland.
For more information on National Animal Week and to support the ISPCA’s mission, please visit http://www.ispca.ie or contact your local SPCA.