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MADRA

Dogs find new homes thanks to adoptathon

The lucky dogs included Diesel (pictured), who went to his forever home on Sunday.

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.

Read: Dog rescue charity hosting 24-hour ‘adoptathon’>

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21 Comments
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    Mute Mark Power
    Favourite Mark Power
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    Aug 29th 2012, 7:49 AM

    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.

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    Mute Dave Kavanagh
    Favourite Dave Kavanagh
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    Aug 29th 2012, 7:58 AM

    3 with us. All rescues of one sort or another. Great work Madra.

    92
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    Mute Jane Ward
    Favourite Jane Ward
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:50 AM

    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.

    56
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    Mute Torpedo
    Favourite Torpedo
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    Aug 29th 2012, 7:46 AM

    Excellent

    78
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    Mute Stephen O'Connell
    Favourite Stephen O'Connell
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    Aug 29th 2012, 8:31 AM

    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.

    77
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    Mute Tony Doran
    Favourite Tony Doran
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:04 AM

    yey :-) A good news story

    58
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    Mute Chris lynch
    Favourite Chris lynch
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:19 AM

    Heading to a rescue center on Saturday with my dog to find him a new buddy.

    54
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    Mute Síofra Gray
    Favourite Síofra Gray
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:18 AM

    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!

    52
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    Mute Lj Traynor
    Favourite Lj Traynor
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:45 AM

    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!

    50
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    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
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    Aug 29th 2012, 11:26 AM

    And as soon as someone thinks rottweiler they think…ooh vicious, can’t have them near children and all that nonsense. A great dog…

    31
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    Mute Dave Fingleton
    Favourite Dave Fingleton
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:00 AM

    great work..brothers and sisters!

    48
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    Mute David O Connor
    Favourite David O Connor
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    Aug 29th 2012, 7:45 AM

    Woof woof..

    43
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    Mute Chuck Eastwood
    Favourite Chuck Eastwood
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:34 AM

    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

    43
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    Mute Red4fred
    Favourite Red4fred
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    Aug 29th 2012, 9:28 AM

    I love happy ending stories….. Where’s me keys? Where’s me bone?

    38
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    Mute Gavin McGuinness
    Favourite Gavin McGuinness
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    Aug 29th 2012, 2:51 PM

    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.

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    Mute Lj Traynor
    Favourite Lj Traynor
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    Aug 29th 2012, 11:41 AM

    Completely agree. He’s great with children. If a dog is treated right you wont have a problem with it being vicious.

    25
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    Mute Mick Lennon
    Favourite Mick Lennon
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    Aug 29th 2012, 11:49 AM

    fantastic cause this

    18
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    Mute Roy Scott
    Favourite Roy Scott
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    Aug 29th 2012, 1:12 PM

    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.

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    Mute Fiona Kelly
    Favourite Fiona Kelly
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    Aug 29th 2012, 12:58 PM

    Great work Madra!!!

    14
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    Mute Caroline Locke
    Favourite Caroline Locke
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    Aug 30th 2012, 2:47 AM

    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.

    1
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    Mute Caroline Locke
    Favourite Caroline Locke
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    Aug 30th 2012, 2:43 AM

    This is brilliant news for rescue dogs-and cats I hope-Brilliant initiative.

    1
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