As many as 20 rescue dogs were settling in to their new homes over the weekend thanks to a 24-hour dog adoption drive organised by local charity MADRA.
The event, sponsored by Connolly’s Red Mills, took place last weekend at Trusty Pet Pals dog day care centre in the city. Hundreds of dog lovers flocked to the two-day event to meet the dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds who were in need of a new home.
Fourteen of the dogs were lucky enough to be leaving with their new owners thanks to the team of MADRA volunteers who conducted home-checks throughout the weekend. A further six dogs were booked and will be going to their new homes over the coming days when a home-check has been completed.
On the week of the event an additional 10 dogs were booked by their owners as a result of the publicity the charity received surrounding the adoption drive, bringing the total number of dogs re-homed due to the initiative to 30.
Speaking about the event, MADRA chairperson Marina Fiddler commented: “We were totally overwhelmed by the fabulous support that we received. It was great to see so many people willing to give a rescue dog a second chance”.
The event was the first of its kind in Ireland and provided an excellent opportunity for the rescue to showcase the fabulous variety of dogs that can be adopted from the shelter.
MADRA is a Connemara-based dog rescue service which was founded in 2005 by Marina Fiddler and Tara Nic Dhiarmada. The charity has worked closely with both Mayo and Galway county councils and since 2005 the County Galway put-to-sleep rate has fallen from 83 per cent to 18 per cent. Similarly, in Co Mayo, the rescue has helped the council to reduce its put-to sleep rate from 72 per cent in 2008 to 11 per cent in 2011. Annually the charity rescues approximately 600 dogs.
For more information on the dogs that are currently looking for their new homes log on to www.madra.ie or call 086 8149026.
