Spiralling costs and dwindling donations have forced the GSPCA to consider closing.
Unless local people are prepared to dig deep the local animal charity may have to close its doors for the first time in 30 years. Margaret O’Sullivan, public relations officer for the organisation, blames the downturn in the economy.
“Our donations are way down and expenses are way up, unless we get money from the public or good bric-a-brac for our charity shop soon we will have to close.
“It is sad to say it but animals tend to come way down the line. I am asking the people of Galway to consider the animals, we are a local charity and if you want the GSPCA to continue you have to do it.”
Costs for the charity are between €15,000 and €17,000 per month with monthly income down to €9,000. Ms O’Sullivan says, “The situation is dire at the moment, and cruelty cases are way up, with a huge amount of animals being seized for their own welfare.
“We are very worried about what the winter will bring, the shop in St Augustine Street needs good bric-a-brac, and men’s clothes. However we also need people to remember that if you wouldn’t buy it, don’t bring it, it costs us more than €30 a week to get rid of other people’s rubbish.”
At the moment the GSPCA have 100 cats and kittens, and 100 dogs and puppies, despite there only being room in the sanctuary for half the animals there. Ms O’Sullivan says that the numbers of pregnant cats being abandoned is the highest in 25 years.
Old and sick animals are also becoming victims of being dumped. The sanctuary has a strict no kill policy, and as a result the numbers of animals are constantly increasing.
“We need help, and we need people to work with us. If someone can’t look after an animal and needs to give it up, we cannot always take them, you may have to wait a week or two, but you have to wait, and we will try to take them.
“The people of Galway need to understand that if they want our service to continue they must support it, if not we will close”, concluded Ms O’Sullivan.
Donations, and bric-a-brac for the GSPCA can be dropped into its shop on St Augustine Street. For further information phone 091 563631.
