MADRA, the Galway-based dog rescue and adoption charity, has launched a series of educational workshops aimed at primary school children across Galway. This initiative, in partnership with Galway City Council, is set to begin this month and will continue throughout the school year.
The workshops, designed to promote responsible pet ownership and safety around dogs, will be offered to primary schools throughout Galway city. Each session will be interactive and age-appropriate, ensuring that children not only learn about the importance of caring for pets but also develop empathy and understanding for animals.
Dawn Divilly, Director of Operations at MADRA said, “We are thrilled to partner with Galway City Council to bring these workshops to schools across Galway. Educating children on the responsibilities that come with pet ownership is vital for fostering a compassionate society. By starting with our youngest citizens, we hope to instil values that will lead to a more humane future for both people and animals.”
Galway City Council’s support of this initiative highlights the importance of community collaboration in addressing issues such as animal welfare. “We are delighted to support MADRA in this important educational initiative,” said Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council. “These workshops will equip our young students with the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible pet owners, contributing to the wellbeing of both animals and the wider community.”
As well as teaching children about dog body language and how to communicate safely with dogs, the workshops will also cover responsible dog ownership topics such as the importance of picking up poop, microchipping, the control of dogs in public areas, and so on. Practising how to safely pick up dog-poop was one of the highlights for the children who took part in the pilot programmes!
The workshops support the Department of Rural & Community Development’s focus on promoting responsible dog ownership throughout Ireland which aims to help prevent issues such as dog bites and sheep worrying.
Primary schools interested in participating in the workshops can register their interest by emailing [email protected].
