It’s coming up to Christmas and we are all starting to think about what we are getting our pets (and friends and family!) for Christmas. We are making lists, browsing the internet and looking through the Argos catalogue. But one thing we could all add to our list this Christmas is a donation of some kind to our local animal rescues.
As the weather gets colder and the local animal rescue centres take in more animals they definitely need more help from animal lovers across Ireland. Whether you are in a position to give money, your time or physical items like bedding or food then every rescue will be grateful for your support.
How Can You Help Your Local Animal Rescue This Christmas
Below are some of the ways that you can help your local rescue this Christmas.
#1. Make A Financial Donation
All rescues need financial donations from the public. Although some will get government grants this will never be enough to run the rescue. Donations can be made as a one-off donation or a monthly commitment.
Your money will be used for food, bedding, vets bills, heating, lighting and general supplies.
#2. Purchase Christmas Cards
A lot of rescues sell Christmas cards that you can purchase every year. It’s a great way to help out the rescue and get some cute Christmas cards with animals on them!
Encourage friends and family to do the same. A lot of rescues you can order cards online so it’s a convenient way to get them without having to drag yourself around the shops.
#3. Purchase A Calendar From Them
Everyone needs a calendar to organise their life. Why not purchase calendars from your local rescue and give them as gifts to family and friends.
It’s the perfect gift and helps raise awareness for the rescue as well.
#4. Donate Supplies, E.G. Food, Bedding, Newspaper Or Toys
As you can probably imagine rescues get through a lot of food, bedding, newspaper, supplies, toys etc. When you think of all the animals they take care of that’s a lot of mouths to feed and poop to clean up.
Anything you can donate to help is always appreciated, even if it’s just a pile of old newspapers or some old sheets you no longer need.
#5. Volunteer Your Time, E.G. Walking Dogs, Fundraising
When a rescue has a lot of dogs it can be hard for them to make sure that they all get out for a walk. Volunteering to walk dogs for the rescue makes for a lot of wagging tails.
You could also host an event to raise money for the rescue. Selling raffle tickets for prizes is a great way to raise the much needed funds that a rescue needs.
#6. Foster A Pet
Rescues are often looking for people to foster pets while they find them a new home. This might be for a few days or for longer depending on how full the rescue is and how quickly they can find a forever home for the pets.
This is something you would need to discuss with the rescue so that they can assess your suitability for being a foster.
#7. Adopt A Pet
Adopt don’t shop is key to helping rescues. They desperately need people to give animals in their care a forever home rather than buying a dog online.
There are so many animals in rescues that need loving homes.
Animal Rescues You Can Donate To & Shop online with This Christmas
Please note this is not a full list of Rescues in Ireland – if you would like to add a rescue to the list then please add them to the comments below.
ASH Animal Rescue
Location: Kiltegan, Rathdangan, Co Wicklow
You can donate to Ash Rescue HERE
There are also options to help out by volunteering your time, or donating items for the animals in their care, such as dog or cat food, leads, collars, soft toys, bedding or beds, cat litter or pet toys.
Ainmhithe Animal Rescue
Location: Mayo
You can donate to http://www.ainmhithe.com/
Burren Animal Rescue
Location: Clare
You can donate to https://www.burrenrescue.com/
Cara Rescue Dogs
Location: Laois
You can donate to https://www.cararescuedogs.com/
Cork Dog Action Welfare Group
Location: Cork
You can donate to https://www.dogactionwelfaregroup.ie/
Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Location: Cork
You can donate to https://www.cspca.ie/
Deise Animal Sanctuary
Location: Waterford
You can donate to https://deiseanimalsanctuary.org/
Dogs Trust
Location: Dublin
You can donate to Dogs Trust HERE
All proceeds go towards helping stray and abandoned dogs across Ireland.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://www.dogstrust.ie/shop/
The one-stop shop has everything from adults to kids, dog themed apparel and homeware to doggie products, treats and toys for your four legged friends.
It even has a personalised products section where you can buy bespoke towels and cushions for your pampered pooch!
They also have a festive range of Dog Christmas cards.
Dogs In Distress
Location: Leinster
You can donate to https://dogsindistress.org/
Dogs Aid Animal Sanctuary
Location: Dublin
You can donate to https://dogsaid.ie/
DSCPA
Location: Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
You can donate to the DSPCA HERE
There are lots of ways to donate including a one-off donation, monthly donations, sponsoring a pet or legacy donations.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://www.dspca.ie/product-category/christmas-shop/
Their online shop has lots of ideas for Christmas presents (including Hoodies and hats for Adults and children, as well as Pet Toys, Stockings and Treats).
They also stock a wide range of Animal Christmas cards.
Galway S.P.C.A
Location: Galway
You can donate to https://www.gspca.ie/
Husky Rescue Ireland
Location: Laois
https://www.huskyrescueireland.ie/
There are several ways you can help such as volunteering, organising a fundraiser or donating.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://www.huskyrescueireland.ie/christmas-shop
Husky Christmas Cards and a 2021 Calendar are available online.
Inistioge Puppy Rescue
Location: Kilkenny
You can donate to http://www.inistiogepuppyrescue.com/
Irish Blue Cross
Location: Dublin
https://www.bluecross.ie/ways-to-help/donate/
Whether you want to fundraise, donate or volunteer, your support can make a huge difference to pets in need.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://www.bluecross.ie/shop/
They stock Dog and Cat Christmas cards and their 2021 Calendar is now available.
ISPCA
Location: Keenagh, Co. Longford, Ireland
You can donate to the ISPCA HERE
You can make one-off donations or regular donations.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://shop.ispca.ie/collections/christmas
Cards, Calendars, Gift wrap, Stockings – everything you need to get ready for the festive season all under the one roof! Support the work of the ISPCA while doing your Christmas shopping from the comfort of home.
Kerry SPCA
Location: Kerry
You can donate to https://www.kerryspca.org/
Kilkenny SPCA
Location: Kilkenny
You can donate to http://www.kilkennyspca.ie/
KWWSPCA
Location: Kildare
You can donate to the KWWSPCA HERE or by making a PayPal payment to kwwspca@gmail.com
They have annual donation plans and are always looking for people to foster animals brought into them.
Last Hope
Location: Navan
You can donate to http://www.lasthope.ie/
Leinster Animal Rescue
Location: Leinster
You can donate to https://www.leinsteranimalrescue.com/
Leitrim Animal Welfare
Location: Leitrim
You can donate to https://leitrimanimalwelfare.com/
Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary
Location: Limerick
You can donate to http://www.limerickanimalwelfare.ie/
Mayo SPCA
Location: Mayo
You can donate to https://mayospca.ie/
Madra Dog Rescue & Adoption
Location: Galway
You can donate to Madra HERE
You can give a one-off donation or a monthly donation.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://www.madra.ie/store/
2021 Dog Calendars now available… plus lots of dog related merchandise including face masks and also “Put Your Paws Up” Gift sets.
My Lovely Horse Rescue
Location: Leinster and Munster
You can donate to https://mylovelyhorserescue.com/
Offaly S.P.C.A
Location: Offaly
You can donate to http://www.offalyspca.com/
Paws Animal Rescue
Location: Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary
You can donate to Paws HERE
You can make a one-off donation or sign up to a monthly donation.
Christmas Online Shop >> https://www.paws.ie/shop/
CHRISTMAS Cards and 2021 Calendars are now available!
You can also help by buying a gift of a “Doggy Christmas Dinner” for some furry canine friends in their care.
Roscommon SPCA
Location: Roscommon
You can donate to https://roscommonspca.ie/
Sera Husky & Animal Rescue
Location: Kerry
You can donate to https://www.serahuskyrescue.com/
Waterford SPCA
Location: Waterford
You can donate to https://www.waterfordspca.ie/
Waterford Animal Welfare
Location: Waterford
You can donate to http://www.waterfordanimalwelfare.com/
Westmeath SPCA
Location: Mullingar, Co Westmeath
You can donate to Westmeath SPCA HERE
You can donate food, set up monthly donations or legacies.
Wexford SPCA
Location: Wexford
You can donate to https://www.nwspca.ie/
Wicklow SPCA
Location: Wicklow
You can donate to http://www.wicklowspca.org/
“TAGS” is an umbrella group for multiple pet rescues in Ireland and it has an Animal Rescue Directory Listing on its website, where you can find more contact details for animal charities nationwide.
Donate by Text:
One of the easiest ways to help is to donate by text…
Text Donations cost €2, €4 or €6.
“LIKE CHARITY” is a text donation service supporting Irish charities nationwide…
You simply text to 50300 using the name of the charity you want to support…
For a full list go to www.likecharity.com
Cara Rescue Dogs, Cats Aid, Dogs Trust and the ISPCA (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) are some of the animal charities you can support there.
If You Have Other Rescues You Support Then Please Let Us Know In The Comments Below.
