Limerick Animal Welfare is currently experiencing food shortages for animals in their care.
THE charity that cares for stray and unwanted animals from across Limerick have put out multiple appeals for food donations in recent months as their sanctuaries were running low, or in some cases, ran out of certain products.
The most recent appeal came last week via their Instagram page: “Our sanctuaries have completely run out of Royal Canin Kitten Milk and desperately need donations to help feed our tiny babies.”
Marie O’Connor, Sanctuary Manager, explained the ongoing issue. “This year, Limerick Animal Welfare are currently overspent by €170,000, rising costs and rising veterinary costs are impacting the sanctuary.” She explained that one of their veterinary bills is currently €49,000.
“We get one donation from the government of approximately €120,000 a year, and the rest we rely on donations” outlined Ms O’Connor. Limerick Animal Welfare’s expenditure currently exceeds their income.
“We spend €90,000 a month and we are currently bringing in about €50,000 a month”, explained Ms O’Connor.
Each year, Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW) cares for around 550 dogs, 350 cats, and they currently have 19 horses at their sanctuary in Kilfinane, Co. Limerick.
Despite the rising costs and the financial issues that they are facing, Limerick Animal Welfare is continuing to take in animals. “We recently took in seven collie mix puppies found in a box. They were emaciated, covered in fleas and barely able to stand. We can’t turn away emergency cases like these” because of “the suffering it would cause” remarked the sanctuary manager.
The charity has a no kill policy, which means that the animals stay in their care until they are rehomed. Adoption levels remain steady, with majority of animals in the care of LAW for less than 12 months.
“We get adoptions from all over Ireland”, Ms O’Connor explained. “We also send greyhounds and lurchers to Italy and a mix of dogs to Sweden in collaboration with Hundar Utan Hem”.
Limerick Animal Welfare’s appeals for donations have been well received.
“The food donations are coming in, so we’re really happy with the food donations that are coming in, but as I say we need to bring in €90,000 a month, there is a huge shortfall there at the moment”, stated Ms O’Connor.
Members of the public have also organised fundraisers in aid of Limerick Animal Welfare. Last month, Limerick man Gerry Webb got his hair cut in Bobby Byrne’s pub with a part of the proceeds going to LAW. The team at Limerick Animal Welfare are “happy with any fundraiser in aid of LAW” and they “really appreciate everyone that has donated so far”.