This month we celebrate twenty-five years in rescue. I can’t believe how time has gone so fast. Little did I know all those years ago how PAWS would grow from the acorn that Deirdre and I planted with simply a passion for dogs. We had no idea what a journey lay ahead of us, but we were willing to give it a go.
Back in 1997, Thirty-five THOUSAND dogs a year were being destroyed in Irish Dog Pounds, we believed that this was unacceptable.
If I’m honest. It was the dogs who gave us a life with no regrets. we would do it all again.
We had hard times as you can imagine. Back in the days where we battled to get dogs some respect, when so few rescues existed. To educate people to give dogs a better quality of life, even just adequate food, and shelter. To constantly struggle to save so many unwanted dogs and to even get people to vaccinate, worm and neuter. We were almost laughed at, dismissed by those in authority.
So many dogs lived outside in all-weather on chains or ropes, lucky to get the shelter of a metal barrel, fed scraps and drank stagnant water, but all the while being called ‘pets’ those were the hard days we remember.
Some say we were brave, sometimes I smile and say, maybe we were daft. But we did witness history changing slowly. Our team past and present are very proud to have been part of it.
Besides saving thousands of dogs in the last 25 years. We have met wonderful staff, volunteers and lifelong supporters who have become friends, but most of all, we saw those dogs go to amazing homes.
We have a wish list for 2022
To bring this rescue even further into the future.
For now, just the basic needs that will improve the quality of life for the dogs.
TILES: We have 32 kennels that need wall tiles even halfway up the walls. They don’t have to be posh or matching but they are essential to provide proper cleaning.
DRAINS: The current drains in the kennels are, to say the least, inefficient. They constantly back up and are not suitable for power washing.
MEET AND GREET AREA: Currently, when people come to meet dogs, they must interact outdoors in all types of weather. The larger rescues in Ireland have a cosy meeting area. We would be happy with a covered sand arena type of set up, where potential adopters could play with the dogs and see their true, wonderful personalities.
SHUTTERS: Our current shutters between the kennels and the outdoor runs are 15 years old. They desperately need replacing. We have priced new ones with a few companies and quite frankly, the quotes were frightening.
HEATING: We are looking to find an alternative to heat lamps. With 32 kennels it is almost impossible to keep the dogs warm using heat lamps. The same problem arises with fans in the summer. There must be another way.
Tonight, we are launching a fundraising target of €25,000
It’s only €1,000 a year for every year we have been doing this work if you think about it.
It won’t be enough to fill all our dreams of improvements but it sure is a start.
Each night at 7pm we will give you an update on the funds we have raised, but you will also get to hear how PAWS began with a new piece of the story.
Will you help us celebrate our 25th Birthday by donating? It will be life changing to our almost 100 dogs waiting for homes and the future dogs who need us. You can donate via the donate button at the top of the page, via PayPal to info@paws.ie, at www.paws.ie/donate or by post to PAWS, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary. E41 R652.
Thank you so much.
Gina, Sarah, and all at Paws.
25 years of PAWS
