The third MADRA Dogathon takes place this Sunday (May 15 ) along the Salthill Promenade at 1pm. This fundraising dog walk is being organised to raise some much-needed funds for the Connemara-based dog rescue and adoption group MADRA.
The charity is hoping to meet their fundraising target of ‘one thousand paws on the prom’ and has urged the people of Galway to go online and register for the walk which starts at the Claddagh at 1 pm. The organisation is also looking for greyhound owners to come together for a photo opportunity at 12.45 pm in order to raise awareness of the issue of Irish greyhounds being exported to China.
Speaking about the event, MADRA PRO Eileen Keleghan commented: “Last year we reached our target of one thousand paws on the prom for dogs in need, and we hope to exceed that target in 2016. “This year we would also like to encourage greyhound owners to come along for a photo opportunity to help highlight the plight of Irish greyhounds being exported to China’s only legal greyhound track, where it is reported that more than 30 greyhounds die each month”.
On the day, participants can get a professional dog or family portrait taken; they can visit a vet and avail of reduced-price micro-chipping; and chat to a dog groomer to get some advice. Handmade dog beds and other MADRA merchandise will also be on sale.To register for the event log on to www.iregister.ie and search for ‘MADRA Dogathon’. Registration is €10 per adult, €5 per child, or €25 for a family (two adults and two children ).
All dogs go free but participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for dogs in need either online via www.idonate.ie or by requesting a sponsorship card from MADRA at [email protected]. Participants can also register on day up to 12.30 pm. MADRA is a volunteer-run dog rescue and adoption charity based in Camus in Connemara. In 2015, MADRA rescued 734 dogs and pups.
Annual running costs are in excess of €200,000 - the charity raises the majority of these funds through donations from members of the general public, fundraising events, and the two charity shops in the Westside and Moycullen Village. For more information about MADRA or the Dogathon log on to www.madra.ie
