Ballybane Dog Pound wardens Tom Costello and John Cooley have responsibility for everything from dog barking complaints to neglect in Galway city. The amount and types of complaints vary, so Tom and John are out in the city from 10:30am to 1:00pm and back out again until 4pm. In the summer they also focus on the cities beaches and license checking is a daily occurrence.
Stray or surrendered dogs in the city are taken care of and re-homed by Tom and John, sometimes with the help of MADRA. Last year Ballybane Dog Pound had 370 dogs under their care. Aside from those with micro-chips or those who were reclaimed by their owners, the work of the wardens made it possible for 198 of those stray and surrendered dogs to be adopted.
For €65, dogs can be purchased directly from the pound. This covers microchipping, worming, and vaccinations. When the pound in Ballybane is full, MADRA help their cause and take some of the dogs to their facilities where they carry out their own adoption process. MADRA’s team work tirelessly to provide unwanted dogs with a second chance at happiness.
Warden, Tom Costello, would like to abolish the myth that when a dog is sent to the pound, it means that they will be put down. This is not the case, as Tom said: “People have it in their heads that they will be put down if they ring the pound about a stray or neglected dog. This is not true.”
Calling the pound is in the best interest of any abandoned dog. Ballybane’s Dog Wardens take care of all dogs that are brought in to their pound, no matter the situation. Even if a dog had been previously attacked before being reported, Tom and John will care of it and provide it with a home that is more suitable to its new life. Tom stated: “It is the right thing to call us, the public should not be worried that if they call, the dog will be put down”.
If you find a stray dog, which is a dog in a public place and not accompanied by their owner, call Ballybane Pound. You are bettering their chances of survival when you put them in the care of the pound. Stray dogs may be seized by authorised person and kept for five days by an authorised officer during which time they may be reclaimed by their owners or re-homed if they are suitable for rehoming.
When you find a stray dog you can:
Return the dog to its owner if you can get the owners details easily and safely from the dog’s collar.
If you are unable to find the owner you can contact your local Dog Warden. The dog may have been reported as missing to the warden.
You may also decide to keep the dog yourself. In this case you must send written notification to the Dog Warden or the local Garda. If the dog’s owner does not claim the dog within a year you may become the owner of the dog.
It is unlawful to hand a stray dog over to any person or agency except the dog’s owner, Dog Warden or the Garda.
If anyone is looking to adopt a dog from Ballybane Dog Pound you can call (091 ) 536 400. There are plenty of worthy dogs who need a loving home in the pound or in animal rescue centres around Galway. Adopt, do not shop, with Ballybane Dog Pound.
Photo ID and utility bill is required for micro-chip when purchasing from the pound.
