ISPCA inspectors recently removed a total of 207 animals from a property in Co. Kildare.
25 dogs, 95 rabbits, 58 guinea pigs, 22 hamsters, 4 mice, 1 terrapin, 1 turtle and 1 corn snake were rescued.
SPCA Inspector Jimmy McCormack responded to a call made to the charity’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515 regarding animal welfare concerns about several animals being kept at the property.
Inspector McCormack discovered a serious animal overpopulation and overcrowding problem. Animals of various species were being bred, and also retained, with the result that the numbers grew out of control.
There were over 25 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (including four puppies) living in the kitchen of the house. The dogs appeared to be friendly and in generally good health but the noise from their barking was deafening and the environment was extremely stressful.
There were also hamsters, mice, a corn snake, a slider terrapin and a musk turtle in the house.
In an outside shed, there were large numbers of rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters confined in overcrowded rusty cages stacked on top of each other. Although basic food, bedding and water was being provided, the conditions were wholly inadequate.
The shed was dark with little natural light and ventilation was poor. Several of the rabbits were sneezing and some had runny eyes, and guinea pigs and rabbits were housed together which is not recommended.
In addition to the pet animals in the shed, wild mice were also living there and burrowing through the straw.
Assistance Required
When the full extent of the situation became overwhelmingly clear, Inspector McCormack sought the assistance of the Dublin SPCA, Cork SPCA and other animal welfare charities, and a large-scale rescue operation was mounted.
The people involved fully acknowledged that the numbers of animals had gotten out of control and had become too much for them. They cooperated fully with the removal of the animals and complied with all instructions given by ISPCA Inspectors.
Subsequent veterinary examinations found that several of the small animals had respiratory issues, their nails were overgrown and one of the rabbits had to have faeces caked on its back end clipped away. Sadly, two of the rabbits had neurological issues and were euthanised on veterinary advice.
Chief Inspector Dowling said: “It was a shock to see so many animals crammed into tiny spaces and cages that were not fit for purpose. Most of the small animals lived their lives in a dark, dirty mouse infested shed with insufficient room to hop around and exhibit natural behaviour.
“The situation should never have been allowed to get so out of hand but thankfully we were able to intervene before the physical health of the animals deteriorated further.
“Our priority is the welfare of the animals involved, but we also must be mindful of working with vulnerable people. We encourage members of the public to continue reporting any animal welfare concerns to our helpline.”
The ISPCA IS in need of rabbit and guinea pig hutches to provide proper care for the animals. Readers would like to help, can consider donating items from the ISPCA Amazon wish list, which includes hutches and other supplies.
View and order directly from the list here: https://www.amazon.ie/hz/wishlist/ls/1M18M5UPSOV75.
Many of the rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters will be available for rehoming in the coming weeks.
If you are interested adopting any of these animal, email rehoming@ispca.ie or visit https://ispca.ie/adoptions/ to find out more.
To report any animal welfare concerns:
ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515
Report online at: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty
E:helpline@ispca.ie.
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If you have a tip for an animal welfare issue, an animal news article, a press release, or just want to just reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you. John Tierney, Animal News Ireland/Editor