Our Policies
NEUTERING
Dogs are not humans, they do not think like humans and they do not behave like humans. The female's urge to mate only happens when they are in season, and males are only attracted to them at this time.
Dungarvan Rescue Kennels has always maintained a strict neutering policy. It is firmly believed that no dog should be offered for adoption until it has been neutered. Sadly there is still a fairly strong and widely held view amongst Irish dog owners that it is wrong to neuter, especially a male dog! I have heard so many so-called justifications for this attitude from the general public that I could write a little booklet about it!
In reality there are good reasons to neuter both male and female dogs. Several hormone related cancers, some of which can strike at any age, are eliminated by neutering. A life threatening infection of the uterus in female dogs, which can occur even in a young female, is also avoided by neutering.
Many myths are attached to neutered dogs, including claims that they will get fat, they will get lazy, and their personality will change. Well, dogs get fat and lazy the same way as we do, by eating too much food and not having enough exercise! The only personality change that may come about will show in an overly aggressive male becoming less aggressive to other dogs and more of a companion to his owner. No down side there!
I have heard that in America and Canada there are places which have neutering laws and only registered kennels are allowed to keep dogs for breeding purposes. It is a pity that Ireland would not adopt such a policy. Around 10,000 dogs a year are being destroyed in dog pounds. Uncounted numbers are put down in veterinary surgeries because they have become unwanted or are too much trouble to keep. There are unknown numbers of dogs in rescues all around Ireland. Last, but by no means least, there are about 15,000 greyhounds that `disappear` every year.
It is clear that the dog population in this small country is out of control. From 20,000 to 25,000 greyhound puppies are bred every year in Ireland. The majority of these puppies will be dead before they reach two years of age because they either do not qualify in time trials or they lose races. Puppy farmers are churning out pedigree dogs in thousands purely for profit. Then there are those who believe the myth that a female dog should have at least one litter in order to satisfy her maternal instinct.
An incentive to neuter, rather than kill, is the only answer to this problem. Some years ago Ireland was the first European country to introduce a `no smoking` policy in public places, I was working in the bar business at the time and we all laughed and said “No way! It will never happen! They will never stop people smoking in Irish pubs”. Well, it did happen. If a government can do that the surely it can consult with the animal welfare groups, the people who are desperately trying to pick up the pieces due to lack of legislation, to bring in some sort of neutering incentive legislation.
If only they would …
NO KILL
From the beginning I have operated this shelter on a no kill policy, anything less would make me no better than the dog pounds. In almost 22 years I have only had to let two dogs go for severe behavioural problems. Of course there have been those, no matter what the vets or I did, that could not be saved, because of illness, disease or injury. Sometimes there is simply nothing to be done, but if there is even a glimmer of hope the dog is given every chance to survive.
ADOPTION
My adoption policy is very simple. The dog must be a part of the family. For me, that does not mean living in a run in the back yard for the rest of its life. It means living in the house, within the family, and with a securely fenced garden. This is a policy I am seldom able to fulfil here in this part of Ireland and most of the dogs that come into my care go to UK Rescues. I have a good and long standing relationship with the few select rescue organisations that operate the same policy and are kind enough to help. I quite often get positive feedback from the new owners on how the dog is settling in with its new family.