Three Things to Know
Limited research has focused on the dog welfare challenges in Ireland. This study employed focus groups and interviews to investigate the perspectives of dog welfare organizations.
Dog welfare organizations highlighted significant changes resulting from the pandemic, including an increased need for owner education, stricter regulations for dog breeding facilities, and stronger enforcement of existing laws. Rising veterinary costs are also creating a significant financial burden for dog shelters, particularly in caring for long-term residents.
Dog welfare organizations also highlighted the challenges posed by the decline in greyhound exports to Europe, the increasing burden on volunteers, and the urgent need to improve standards within the welfare organization sector. While opportunities exist to enhance procedures and facilities, significant financial investment is required for capital improvements.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
This study represents a structured analysis of key dog welfare challenges in Ireland, many of which resonate with challenges faced by organizations worldwide.
While local conditions inevitably vary, there is significant potential for dog welfare organizations globally to learn from each other and foster greater collaboration. For example, Irish organizations have looked to international shelter operating standards, such as those set by the UK’s Association of Dog and Cat Homes (ADCH), for guidance. The establishment of a centralized library of knowledge and information could significantly facilitate this knowledge sharing.
The Full Picture
The COVID-19 pandemic likely increased dog ownership in Ireland, raising concerns about long-term welfare impacts, particularly regarding veterinary costs and potential abandonment. While Irish legislation addresses licensing, breeding, and microchipping, challenges remain, including ethical breeding practices, demand for certain breeds, and oversupply. This qualitative study, titled “A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organizations (DWOs),” aims to address these concerns by:
- Investigating the challenges faced by DWOs in rehoming, public education, and caring for surrendered dogs.
- Understanding the perspectives of DWOs on current legislation and its enforcement.
- Identifying opportunities for improvement in areas like sales, breeding, and data quality.
- Informing future policy development with evidence-based insights from key stakeholders.
This research will address the critical role of DWOs in Irish dog welfare challenges and contribute to a better understanding of the opportunities for improving the lives of dogs in Ireland.
Study Methods
This study utilized a qualitative approach to investigate the experiences of Dog Welfare Organizations (DWOs) in Ireland. The research involved a combination of online focus groups and interviews.
The inclusion criteria for the study were organizations with a specific mandate for dog welfare, such as those operating shelters or coordinating fostering programs. The selected organizations were geographically diverse, representing various regions across the Republic of Ireland. Data collection occurred between January and May 2022. A total of 46 DWOs participated in the study.
Study Results
The study included 27 dog welfare organizations (DWOs) from across Ireland, representing two-thirds of the country’s counties. These organizations varied in age, from less than five years to over 100 years, and in size, categorized as small, medium, or large based on government funding and dog capacity. The analysis revealed two primary themes: challenges in general dog welfare in Ireland, and challenges within the welfare organization sector. Eight sub-themes emerged, reflecting the perspectives of participating DWOs.
Key Challenges in General Dog Welfare, as Perceived by Participating Dog Welfare Organisations
1. The Need for Education and Awareness
Recognizing the lack of understanding regarding the long-term commitment and financial costs of dog ownership, exacerbated by the COVID-19 surge in first-time owners and a shortage of accredited trainers, DWOs proposed mandatory dog ownership courses, such as those in Switzerland, and called for centralized government-led education campaigns. DWOs emphasized the need for increased education on responsible dog ownership, targeting both potential owners and children. They advocated for early education in schools to prevent issues like aggression caused by improper handling.
Social and mass media were seen as crucial tools. While recognizing the potential of social media for adoption promotion, DWOs acknowledged the need for improved training in its utilization. Media exposés, like a documentary on greyhound racing on Ireland’s national television broadcaster, were praised for raising awareness and driving volunteer recruitment. Overall, DWOs stressed the critical need for enhanced public education and strategic media engagement to improve dog welfare.
2. Long- and Short-Term Impact of Puppy Farms
During the pandemic, surging demand led to a significant increase in puppy production within dog breeding establishments. Many of these establishments operated under poor welfare conditions, characterized by dirty facilities, inadequate healthcare, poor nutrition, and behavioral problems arising from insufficient socialization. While some licensed establishments met welfare standards, others unlicensed ones were labeled “puppy farms,” selling with unethical practices and prioritizing profit over animal well-being.
DWOs expressed concerns about the scale of breeding operations and inconsistent enforcement of regulations. They advocated for stricter penalties, the removal of tax breaks for breeders, and robust enforcement of welfare standards. The high demand for designer breeds inflated puppy prices, with some breeders deceiving buyers regarding breeding origins.
The pandemic-era influx of puppies has resulted in market oversaturation, contributing to an increase in dog surrenders as owners returned to work. This has placed a significant strain on the resources of DWOs.
3. Challenges in Enforcing Current Legislation
DWOs identified significant challenges in enforcing existing animal welfare laws. Despite adequate legislation, inconsistent support from authorities and a lack of trained enforcement officers hindered effective implementation. Financial penalties for animal cruelty cases were deemed insufficient, particularly given the potential profitability of dog breeding establishments.
In addition, despite mandatory microchipping since 2016, DWOs reported widespread non-compliance and inaccuracies in registration data. Stray dogs and surrendered animals were frequently unregistered or incorrectly registered, hindering traceability and ownership verification. Ireland’s four unlinked microchip databases and associated registration costs further impeded effective implementation.
DWOs stressed that a functional microchipping system is crucial for improving dog welfare, reducing theft, and facilitating the recovery of lost dogs.
4. Veterinary Care and Costs
Veterinary care costs significantly impacted DWOs’ budgets, consuming a substantial portion of their funding. Older dogs, often surrendered due to expensive medical needs, were particularly challenging to rehome. DWOs estimated basic care costs for each dog to range from €150 to €300, with costs escalating significantly for those with medical conditions. Despite some organizations employing in-house veterinarians, most relied heavily on government welfare grants to cover veterinary expenses. Subsidized or free neutering programs were proposed as potential cost-saving measures.
Recruitment challenges further strained DWOs’ resources. Difficulties in hiring veterinary personnel, including veterinarians and nurses, were widespread. A shortage of qualified dog trainers and behavior specialists, exacerbated by the lack of accreditation in these sectors, posed a risk to animal welfare standards. This shortage, combined with increasing demand for services, threatened to negatively impact preventative veterinary care.
Another significant concern was the inappropriate breeding of mixed breeds during the pandemic. Crossbreeds such as “Bulldogs crossed with King Charles Cavaliers” often exhibited a higher incidence of medical and behavioral issues. These poorly planned breedings placed an additional burden on DWOs and veterinarians. DWOs expressed concerns about the long-term implications of treating these disease-prone and temperamentally unpredictable dogs, anticipating an increase in demand for care and resources in the future.
Challenges in the Welfare Organisation Sector, as Perceived by Participating Dog Welfare Organisations
1. Getting a Dog from a Shelter
DWOs emphasized the importance of robust adoption processes, including isolation periods, comprehensive veterinary care, behavioral training, and stringent rehoming policies. These measures, such as home checks, financial assessments, and post-adoption support, have contributed to a reduction in dog returns. While implementing these practices requires significant financial and time investments, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred the adoption of technology and appointment-based visits, streamlining operations and enhancing staff safety.
While the pandemic saw increased demand for “designer breeds”, DWOs expressed concerns about future challenges, particularly regarding separation anxiety in active breeds like collies as remote work arrangements evolve.
2. Exporting of Dogs
Despite improvements in Irish dog welfare attitudes, the country still lags behind other European nations. Historically, exporting dogs has helped alleviate overpopulation in Irish shelters. However, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly complicated this practice, particularly for destinations in the UK and Scandinavia.
Rehoming certain breeds locally, such as greyhounds and lurchers, presents unique challenges due to prevailing misconceptions about their needs. Many DWOs export these breeds to countries with more positive perceptions of them, such as Germany and Sweden. DWOs expressed frustration with the perceived lack of cooperation from Greyhound Racing Ireland and highlighted the significant funding disparity between their sector and the greyhound racing industry.
Lessons from New Zealand’s approach to greyhound welfare, focusing on reducing breeding, extending racing careers, and enhancing rehoming, highlight that systematic industry issues go beyond rehoming alone.
3. Volunteer Burden
The sustainability of DWOs is heavily reliant on volunteers, many of whom effectively function as full-time staff due to limited funding. Concerns were expressed regarding volunteer burnout and the impact of an aging volunteer base, with some organizations facing closure due to a lack of volunteer support.
Fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging, though some organizations successfully utilized online platforms like GoFundMe and charity challenges. Administrative tasks, including maintaining charity status, managing veterinary records, and applying for grants, placed a significant burden on volunteers. While some larger organizations advocated for regional centers of excellence, this approach faces challenges due to Ireland’s rural nature and the reliance on volunteer labor.
Limited collaboration between organizations was noted. DWOs called for formalized training, annual conferences, and certification programs to enhance expertise within the sector. However, emotional conflicts within the sector and the practice of “hoarding” dogs with behavioral issues were also identified as significant challenges.
4. Setting the Standards for Animal Welfare Organisations
DWOs expressed concern about inconsistencies in the enforcement of animal welfare standards across different facilities. While DWOs undergo annual inspections, they perceive other facilities, such as dog control shelters and commercial kennels, as less rigorously scrutinized. This leads to varying standards across counties. Some DWOs criticized the conditions in certain dog control shelters, citing inadequate facilities, poor enrichment, and inappropriate equipment. A pressing need exists for more isolation kennels and improved cleaning facilities.
Many DWOs view the standards set by the UK’s Association of Dog and Cat Homes (ADCH) as a potential model for Ireland. However, stricter standards could lead to the closure of smaller, rural DWOs, particularly given their existing financial challenges. Significant funding would be necessary to meet these standards and invest in capital projects. Despite these challenges, achieving these improvements is seen as crucial for elevating animal welfare standards across Ireland.
Conclusion
This study provides the first in-depth examination of Irish Dog Welfare Organizations’ (DWOs) perspectives on key dog welfare challenges. it underscore the urgent need for several key interventions:
- Enhanced public education: Focusing on responsible dog ownership, including the long-term commitments involved.
- Improved legislation enforcement: Addressing inconsistencies in the enforcement of existing animal welfare laws, particularly within dog breeding establishments.
- Support for DWOs: Addressing the financial and administrative burdens faced by DWOs, including funding for capital projects and improved integration of microchip databases.
Larger DWOs, with greater resources and volunteer bases, emphasized the need for increased inspections by authorized officers or local authorities to improve sector standards. However, stricter regulations and increased scrutiny may impose higher administrative burdens and costs on smaller, rural rescues, potentially jeopardizing their sustainability.
This study highlights a significant gap in the understanding of dog ownership and welfare in Ireland. Further research is crucial to inform evidence-based policy development and improve the overall well-being of dogs in the country.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
–
Year of Publication:
2022
External Link:
Murphy B, McKernan C, Lawler C, Reilly P, Messam LLM, Collins D, Murray SM, Doyle R, Meunier N, Maguire A, et al. A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations. Animals. 2022; 12(23):3289. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233289