Hundreds of mutts from across Dublin gathered in Rathfarnham’s Marlay Park today along with their owners to take part in the annual Doggy Day Out in aid of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).
Events at the pooch party included the Scrufts Dog Show, where competition was stiff in categories including Dog With The Waggiest Tail and Most Interesting Mix of Breeds.
Bold dogs got some “fun discipline” lessons with dog trainer Alex Petrelli, while members of the DSPCA’s veterinary team were on hand to answer questions and provide discounted micro chipping.
The event also provided the opportunity for a reunion for some of the DSPCA’s former residents – each year the charity successfully finds homes for 1,500 dogs, many of whom were in the park today, the organisers said. .
“The Doggy Day Out is big event in our calendar and judging from the huge turnout today it’s also an important event for dog lovers everywhere,” Lori Davis of the DSPCA said.
She said the economic downturn had had a “huge effect on people and their pets across the country as they are being abandoned or surrendered in greater numbers than ever before as people struggle to afford to keep their pets, or have to leave them behind when they emigrate.”
She added that the fall in people’s incomes had also had an adverse effect on all charitable organisations and said the DSPCA was “hoping that the Doggy Day Out will serve a dual purpose of providing a fun day out and hopefully raising some much-needed funds for Ireland’s largest animal welfare organisation. Mostly it’s really great fun to see how much people love their dogs and much happiness these dogs can bring to their lives”
The DSPCA is Ireland’s oldest animal welfare organisation and every year it rescues,
re-homes and cares for thousands of dogs though it centre in Rathfarnham and its mobile veterinary clinics.
It relies on charitable donations to keep its service in operation. For further information or to make a donation, please contact www.DSPCA.ie or call 01-4994700
