Having a dog is a rewarding feeling, and it’s even more special if you adopt your Fido from one of the best dog rescues in Ireland. When you look for the right dog companion, you must come prepared, as the search can be tedious.
Luckily, there are several recommended places where you can adopt, and they may have different specialties you need to consider. Get to know the 14 best dog rescues in Ireland and contemplate which among them can give you the dog of your dreams.
14 Best Dog Rescues in Ireland
1. Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption
Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescues & Adoption, or MADRA, is the haven for dogs that were rejected, abused, neglected, or abandoned in Ireland. Countless dogs have been taken under its care, and plenty of them have already found their forever homes.
Still, many of the MADRA fidos are waiting for the right family to bear the responsibilities of having a pet. The adoption process on this adoption site is easy and only takes a few steps:
- Take a look at the profiles of their available adoptable dogs
- Register to adopt and fill in the adoption application form for the assessment
- Wait for the team to contact you regarding your application. This can take up to 10 days
- Prepare for the meet and greet appointment. Some dogs are in foster homes, while others can be in the shelter
- Observation on whether you and the dog properly get along. House assessment will also be conducted to determine if it’s conducive to the needs of the Fido.
To cover the costs done by MADRA for the dog you chose, they require an adoption fee of €190 for adult dogs and €230 for puppies 6 months and older.
How to contact them:
Website: Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption
Address: Cearnóg Nua, Unit 6, Killarainy, Moycullen, Co. Galway, H91 T6C7, Ireland
Phone: +353 91 577 813
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
2. Deise Animal Sanctuary
Patricia, the founder of Deise Animal Sanctuary, was urged to establish this organization after saving several animals from inhumane situations. Whether it be dogs, cats, ducks, or horses, every animal can find a special spot in this refuge.
Aside from these common animals, DAS also shows a willingness to bear the commitment to take care of exotic pets to which previous owners can no longer give proper attention. DAS strives to find a new caring home for all these pets.
It is also home to several sighthounds, which include Lurchers, Whippets, and Greyhounds. They’re some of the hardest to rehome, but if you love to take on a challenge, do so and adopt one of them.
The 10-year-old DAS also encourages the public to consider donating to keep their cause moving forward.
How to contact them:
Website: Deise Animal Sanctuary
Address: Knocknaree, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, E91 N153
Phone: +353 87 311 9509
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram
3. Ash Animal Rescue
Ash Animal Rescue has been serving all animals in need around Ireland since 1990. They have transformed hundreds of lives ranging from cats and dogs to other varieties of animals.
The first move to improving their situation is giving them the best care. AAR then works on finding a way to rehome adoptable pets. As a non-profit organization, AAR relies mostly on donations and community help.
You can donate any amount or help out in other ways, such as by sponsoring an animal or joining fundraising events.
On another note, the AAR has a strict no-kill policy. Since not all animals, like dogs, can be successfully rehomed, they are granted the best life in this sanctuary forever.
How to contact them:
Website: Ash Animal Rescue
Address: Cornan East, Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow
Phone: +353 59 647 3396
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and YouTube
4. Mo Chara Animal Rescue
If you’re in or around Co. Tipperary and looking for a dog to adopt, consider visiting Mo Chara Animal Rescue. This organization exists to improve the lives of Irish animals.
The group works hard to reach out and help the helpless, especially dogs wandering, missing, or experiencing unfortunate circumstances.
Part of their hard work is to give refuge to stray animals and post pictures of them on their social media page if their owners are looking for them. With so many animals that arrive at the humble premises of MCAR, the team can only do so much.
You can take time to know their animals and, if one matches your preferences, adopt a fido or a cat if possible. This allows the MCAR to have more room for more rescues to come.
How to contact them:
Address: Cooleeny, Moyne, Co. Tipperary, E41 V206, Ireland
Phone: +353 87 657 6022
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook and Instagram
5. Dogs in Distress
Dogs in Distress is a registered charity that has been running for 15 years. They help around 600 to 700 unclaimed, abandoned, or unwanted dogs. Some of them need extra special care and attention, either because they’re injured or pregnant.
To date, thousands of fidos have successfully found hope through DID. This large number of rescues could mean a challenge in getting them fostered. So, DID places some of them in small rescues while continuing to support them.
Meanwhile, the fostered dogs are guaranteed to be microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed, and sterilized in preparation for their possible adoption.
The minimum charge regarding adoption at DID is only €250. This helps partly cover the cost of caring for each dog in this sanctuary.
How to contact them:
Website: Dogs in Distress
Email: [email protected]
6. Clare Dog Shelter
Another well-recommended dog rescue in Ireland is the Clare Dog Shelter. On their Facebook page, you’ll find them regularly posting about dogs that have been found or if they have available fidos that need to be rehomed.
Take time to scan through their updates, and you might find the right pooch that will generally accompany you in your daily activities or life. When a dog is up for adoption, the CDS provides initial information regarding its personality.
Drop by this fantastic dog rescue and see the wonderful dogs waiting for their future families. It could be you. Consider donating as well since taking care of these lives can be expensive. After all, most dog organizations are not funded by the government.
How to contact them:
Address: Bóthar an Ghoirt, Dulick, Inis, Co. Contae an Chláir, Ireland
Phone: +353 65 682 0393
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
7. Dogs Aid Animal Sanctuary
Dogs Aid Animal Sanctuary was established in Dublin, Ireland, in 1987. It was pioneered by three ladies who were up to help unwanted and abandoned dogs. Since then, this organization has helped hundreds of dogs and cats get rehabilitated and rehomed.
To add, they have a strict no-kill policy. That means that animals with low chances of getting adopted can stay in this sanctuary for as long as they live.
If you want to visit DAAS, do so from 12 pm to 4 pm except on Tuesdays. You can also initially browse their available pets and donate for the welfare of these loving animals.
How to contact them:
Website: Dogs Aid Animal Sanctuary
Address: Meakstown, Dublin 11, D11 E674, Ireland
Phone: 0872944310
Email: [email protected]
8. Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust’s number one priority is the vulnerable dogs. They pull out dogs from the pound and take time to work to get them rehomed with the right, responsible families. They also accept owner-surrendered dogs for any reason.
Since some dogs arriving in their care often don’t have a good start, thus exhibiting behavioral problems, Dogs Trust lets the Veterinary, Training & Behavior, and Canine Carer teams do all the work to rehabilitate them.
With this effort, around 21,000 Irish dogs have been rehomed since 2009.
How to contact them:
Website: Dogs Trust
Address: Ashbourne Rd, Finglas, Dublin 11, D11 K003, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 879 1000
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
9. ISPCA
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) helps, rescues, treats, and rehomes thousands of animals. They are the biggest animal welfare charity in the country and do well in proactively relieving animal suffering in Ireland.
There are three things they primarily do as an organization:
- They prevent animal cruelty
- They promote animal welfare
- And they relieve animal suffering
Get involved in their cause and adopt a fido that matches your preferences in searching for the right dog well. You can also make a single or repeated donation, all the funds going directly to animal treatment and care.
How to contact them:
Website: ISPCA
Address: Derryglogher, Keenagh, Co. Longford, Ireland
Phone: 043 33 25035
Email: [email protected]
10. Paws Animal Rescue
PAWS was founded by Deirdre & Gina Hetherington in Sallins Co Kildare in 1997. Their focus lies on unwanted pets, getting them rehomed, and saving dogs from getting euthanized in certain pounds.
It was a challenging start for this organization to promote animal lives, especially that, prior to their existence, around 35,000 Irish dogs were put down in all the Irish dog pounds each year.
Eventually, they could reach greater heights in their aims and objectives, which include successfully rescuing, vaccinating, sterilizing, and rehoming thousands of dogs.
Their neutering program has, by far and large, prevented millions of unwanted babies from being born, some of which could end up getting dumped.
How to contact them:
Website: Paws Animal Rescue
Address: Mullinahone, County Tipperary, Ireland E41 R652
Phone: +353 52 9153507
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram
11. Wicklow SPCA
Wicklow SPCA has been operating for approximately a decade. They continuously promote the responsible custody of animals, no matter their variety. They act as the animals’ protectors, preventing cruelty while giving them the chance to be rehabilitated and find their furever homes eventually.
Educating the community about the significant aspects of having a pet is also part of their mission. As this is part of the welfare process, informing the public helps them carry less of a burden that requires collective effort.
They also conduct services such as microchipping and spaying and neutering to prevent ballooning pet overpopulation.
Get to know their simple adoption process and check their available dogs through their web page. Other forms of helping are through making a donation, joining fundraising events, wills, and legacies, and providing useful items for the animals.
How to contact them:
Website: Wicklow SPCA
Address: Sharpeshill Sanctuary, Ballygannon Mor, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, A67 YK81
Phone: 0404-44783
Email: [email protected]
12. Cara Rescue Dogs Ireland
Formed in 2011, Cara Rescue Dogs Ireland has rehomed over 1,000 dogs thanks to the help of all its volunteers. They tirelessly work to care for an average of 60 puppies and dogs at any time.
All unwanted, stray, neglected, and abused dogs are welcome in this animal refuge, and they’re treated responsibly, so they’ll become fit for adoption once more.
Also, missing a pet is a rampant situation among pet owners worldwide. Based on 1,015 households, the ASPCA found that 93% of lost dogs were recovered, which is why CRDI makes itself a temporary shelter for missing dogs until their owners come to claim them.
How to contact them:
Website: Cara Rescue Dogs Ireland
Address: Derrycloney, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Ireland
Phone: 086 059 4375 / 087 234 2054 / 086 840 8041
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out through their social media: Facebook
Check out our list of more dog adoption places in various areas.
