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NEARLY 20 RESCUE dogs have found their ‘forever home’ thanks to an adoptathon organised by a Connemara-based animal charity.
MADRA held the 24-hour event over the weekend. It was sponsored by Connolly’s Red Mills and took place at Trusty Pet Pals dog day care centre in Briarhill, Galway.
They said that hundreds of dog lovers flocked to the two-day event where they got to meet the dogs in need of a home. With canines of all shapes, sizes, ages and breeds, there was an animal companion to suit every type of person.
New homes
In the end, there were 14 dogs lucky enough to leave with their new owners thanks to the team of MADRA volunteers who conducted home-checks throughout the weekend.
On top of this, a further six dogs were booked and will be going to their new homes over the coming days after a home-check has been completed.
Plus, a further 10 dogs were booked by their owners during the week, which brought the total number of dogs re-homed due to the initiative to 30.
Overwhelmed
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 MADRA said it “provided an excellent opportunity for the rescue to showcase the fabulous variety of dogs that can be adopted from the shelter”.
MADRA is a dog rescue service founded in 2005 by Marina Fiddler and Tara Nic Dhiarmada.
It has worked closely with Mayo and Galway county councils and since 2005 the county Galway put-to-sleep rate has fallen from 83 per cent to 18 cent, while in Co Mayo it has fallen from 72 per cent in 2008 to 11 per cent in 2011.
The charity rescues approximately 600 dogs every year. For more information, visit www.madra.ie or call 086 8149026.
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We have two dogs at the moment and our third will be a rescue dog. Delighted that there is an alternative to putting them to sleep. Every pet deserved a good home. Excellent service.
3 with us. All rescues of one sort or another. Great work Madra.
I’ve heard people say that rescue dogs are the most loving pets because they know they’re getting a second chance, and I have to agree. Our third is a rescue and he’s the sweetest dog.
Excellent
fantastic hearing about this. my partner and I rescued a small dog recently and it was one of the best things we have ever done.
yey :-) A good news story
Heading to a rescue center on Saturday with my dog to find him a new buddy.
My sister is one of the lucky people who gave a dog a ‘forever home’ at the weekend. She got a little Jack Russell who was quickly christened ‘Peppa’ by my 3 year old daughter!
I got my big lovable dope from the dog shelter last year. He’s a Rottweiler cross that thinks he’s a chiuwawa and always has to get on my knee! I love him!
great work..brothers and sisters!
Woof woof..
Hoping to pick get a dog in the next few months. I can’t understand why anyone would buy from an illegal dog breeder where there are do many perfect free dogs In Shelters. great story
I love happy ending stories….. Where’s me keys? Where’s me bone?
Have a rescue now for nearly over a month after my previous rescued died at the age of 12. Would love to get a second. They make great pets.
Completely agree. He’s great with children. If a dog is treated right you wont have a problem with it being vicious.
fantastic cause this
Great work, there are a lot of organisations working hard to save dogs right around the country and it all volunteers ….they have to be applauded……well done you guys…so message is rescue don’t buy.
Great work Madra!!!
Give love to your dog-be it a Rottweiler or a Pit bull….he will love you back.Any dog raised in a loving home will become a loving pet.
This is brilliant news for rescue dogs-and cats I hope-Brilliant initiative.
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