Seal Rescue Ireland has been awarded €15,000 in funding for its animal welfare efforts going into 2019.
The Courtown, Co Wexford-based organisation is one of 108 that received funding awards from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that total a record €2,751,000.
Two other marine wildlife-related recipients were Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue, which gets €5,500, and the Oiled Wildlife Response Network at Shannon Foynes Port which will get €2,000.
“It gives me great pleasure in awarding this funding, which is the largest ever allocation of funding by my department to animal welfare organisations,” said Minister Michael Creed, who added that “we are very fortunate in Ireland in having a voluntary sector dedicated to animal welfare”.
The Minister acknowledged that the workload for many of these organisations has increased over recent years on account of a number of factors, including the active enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
He also noted the work undertaken by staff in his own Department on animal welfare matters, and stated that he and his officials will continue to work closely with animal welfare groups.
And he reminded the public of the dedicated email address ([email protected]) and helpline (01 607 2379 or Call Save 0761 064 408) in operation in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for members of the public to report incidents of animal neglect and cruelty.
