Interview with Marion Fitzgibbon of Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary,
Here is an interview with Marion Fitzgibbon of Limerick Animal Welfare, the charity and rescue we collaborate with.
Marion is a major player in the struggle for the protection of greyhounds, lurchers and other animals in Ireland and elsewhere. Here she talks about the work, difficulties and plans of the Sanctuary at LAW.
Thank you, Marion!
“The Sanctuary was opened in December 2007. We purchased the land in 2005 and it took two years to get planning permission. We got an interest free loan of 90,000 euro from a friend and LAW had saved 100,000, which made it possible to buy the 25 acres.
We rescue all animals at the Sanctuary. We usually have approx. 200 animals in the shelter. We rescue dogs, cats, horses, goats, donkeys rabbits, hens, and wildlife. We also have birds from time to time.
We aim to change Irish attitudes by creating a centre of excellence at our Sanctuary. We see the Sanctuary as an oasis and a place where animals are cared for and loved and restored to health. People coming to visit are surprised that we have heated kennels and that all dogs and cats have warm dry beds. The public are encouraged to visit and walk our dogs and learn how to care for the animals. We also have a Education Programme and visit the schools. Schools also visit and spend several hours helping with the work at the Sanctuary. We also get Companies visiting and they help with painting and gardening etc.
LAW is engaged in fundraising throughout the year. We hold open days at the Sanctuary. We also do Pub Quizes, Street collection days, Bag Packing at the supermarkets, Fashion Shows and sponsored Walks. We need to raise at least 50,000 euro each month. People can help by making donations and organizing fund raising events. We also have three Charity Shops in the city which provide our main source of income.
The situation of animals in Ireland is terrible. Thousands of dogs are unwanted every year. Horses and cats are also very badly neglected. However, greyhounds are the most neglected dogs as approx. 23,000 are bred each year and only about 700 are rescued. We estimate that approx. 10,000 greyhounds are unaccounted for each year.
This estimate increases if we take into account the Flapper Tracks in UK Scotland and Wales. These tracks are not overseen by the BGBG . Many of the poor quality Irish Greyhounds sold at auctions in Ireland are bought for racing in the unregulated Flapper tracks. They also race in the BAGS tracks run by the bookmakers. These tracks are licenced but are Independent and do not come under the same regulations. BAGS ( Bookmakers afternoon Greyhound Service) run races all day for betting on TV and the greyhounds are raced so many times in one week that they are injured very quickly. It is very bad for the dogs!!
Buyers looking for cheap greyhounds come to Ireland and buy the slow dogs for this type of racing. They also buy injured or lame dogs and inject them with” Bute” to mask the injuries and sell them on in Scotland or UK.
There is always a trade for the cheapest greyhounds and the dogs racing in these conditions are predominantly Irish. Now the trade with Spain has started again and greyhounds are being bought for 50 euro per dog for Spain. The two young black boys that you are getting were reserved for Spain. The muzzle marks on their faces should disappear after some time. The blue boy that we managed to save was reserved for Argentina, flying out from Shannon Airport!
We also see buyers from Pakistan at the Sales. I think only a small number go to Pakistan but the buyers are there on a regular basis buying more expensive dogs. They drive them to UK and fly them to Pakistan. These are wealthy business men!
All greyhounds need to be microchipped and tracked but the Industry do not really want the public to know where they are going and that many of them will die.
Under the present legislation a dog does not become the property of the Rescue Organization until it is in their possession for a year and a day. The Municipal Dog Pounds only have to hold a dog for 5 days and then it becomes their property and can be rehomed. The Dog Pounds can destroy a dog after 5 days if a home is not available.
Greyhounds and lurchers are unique because they are bred in such huge numbers and they are not considered suitable as pets in Ireland.
It is difficult to rehome greyhounds and lurchers in Ireland as they are seen as hunting dogs. The Coursing dogs are seen on TV chasing a small live hare and attacking it and sometimes killing it. Greyhounds are seen out walking, maybe four greyhounds with a walker, and they are always muzzled in public. This gives the impression that they are dangerous dogs.
Lurchers are the most destitute dogs in Ireland. You cannot find a dog any lower on the social ladder that the gypsy dog. Actually the lurchers are lovely dogs and they are usually very good with other dogs and children. They are also highly intelligent and are wonderful endurance dogs. They were known in old Gaelic as “the faithful hounds” – the Cu Dilish.
The State gives us a Grant each. This year we received 41,000 euro for twelve months. We appreciate this but it is very small when you consider that we need to bring in 50,000 each month.
LAW is involved in an ambitious building programme at present. We hope to finish the main section of the new building in the next six months. The cost of this phase of the programme is 420,000 euro. We have taken down an additional mortgage of 80, 000 to help with this project. Our entire mortgage now amounts to 600,000 euro.
We need to build a Veterinary Clinic to help reduce our costs. Our Vet bills amount to approx. 100,000 each year. We will also cut down on time driving animals to Veterinary clinics and it will be safer for the animals to remain at the Sanctuary to recover from surgery etc.
LAw continue to struggle every day to keep the Sanctuary open and to bring in sufficient funds to care for the abandoned animals. The Sanctuary is never left unattended and we are grateful to all the volunteers who come to help us each day.
The Sanctuary is a modest place, but miracles happen there thanks to the dedication of the staff and volunteers, and the many supporters who donate to our cause and make it possible for us to keep going.
Many thanks to Pet Levrieri for raising the plight of the Irish Greyhound and Lurcher and helping to show the Irish people that the Greyhounds do make Great Pets.
Marion Fitzgibbon”
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