A DOG RESCUE charity has expressed concern about a change to the pound system in Dublin.
A Dog’s Life said that South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is no longer to send strays and unwanted animals to Dunboyne Pound, but will soon be sending them to Ashton Pound.
The group said it was worried the new pound facility could “struggle to cope” and that A Dog’s Life does not have an agreement with Ashton Pound, unlike Dunboyne Pound. The charity rehomed 70 per cent of dogs given to Dunboyne Pound.
Martina Roche from A Dog’s Life said they “simply can’t see how Ashton will be able to deal with an additional 1,200 dogs annually”. She explained that A Dog’s Life has built up a core base of dedicated volunteers who can transport animals from Dunboyne Pound to new homes.
Ashton Pound is located around 40 minutes away from Dunboyne, which means that A Dog’s Life would struggle to provide the same service. “We don’t have the same level of volunteers in the Ashtown area. We were already overstretched – it is just a step too far,” said Roche.
She said the decision will put more pressure on the pound and that A Dog’s Life had only been informed of the change very recently.
We are very upset that it has come to this after working extremely successfully with one of the largest pounds in the country for more than seven years and building very good relationships with both pound staff and the dog wardens.
Council response
In response, SDCC said that as part of public procurement process, along with Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council it jointly advertised for the provision of a dog pound service in March 2013.
Following assessment of the tender submissions, which included inspections by veterinary inspectors to confirm the adequacy of the facilities from a welfare perspective, the Local Authorities were satisfied that Ashton Dog Pound, Ashtown was best placed to provide the service and the contract has been awarded accordingly.
The contract will come into effect from the 1 August 2013.
SDCC said that it “is important to note that South Dublin County Council’s policy with regard to re-homing and animal welfare will not change”. There will be regular inspections and monitoring of the facility by veterinary staff and ongoing review meetings with the contractor.
Ashton pound currently deal with a number of rehoming and animal welfare groups including the following Dogs Trust, Heathlands, Dundalk Dogs, DSPCA, Stokenchurch, Cara Rescue, Labrador Rescue UK.
The council said it has made arrangements to ensure that A Dog’s Life will be also be included in the list should they wish to be.
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