Sunday September 30, 2007, 11:08 am
Ireland's Throwaway Society Just got better!

We've had the Celtic Tiger, the housing and holiday boom, everything we want at our fingertips thanks to online shopping; now we have the very latest in consumer convenience... Dump your pet!

How does this work I hear you ask,

Well it's all quite simple and easy, just follow these guidelines and tips and hey presto, your pet is sorted!

This is not a joke, there are no hidden extras or terms and conditions.

Just follow these simple steps and you can be free!

1. Going on holiday/emigrating/moving house? Dog a problem?

Not anymore! From the comfort of your armchair just pick up the phone and call your friendly Dog Warden to come and collect Fido. I kid you not! The nice man will call in his air cooled van and collect the offending dog and there is no charge. Phone now!

2. Dog getting on? Has a medical problem that's costing you money?

Don't suffer anymore, follow the advice in step 1 and your life will improve, many others in your situation have followed this advice with amazing results. This solution really works!

3. Kids upset at prospect of Fido leaving?

Fear not, just tell them the "nice man" will get Fido a lovely new home with lots of other dogs to play with, where he will be really happy. Why, you can even send his favourite toy with him so he's not lonely! You can reassure them that when you get back from holiday you can get an even better dog, at little or no cost to you! This is an amazing offer, don't delay!

In today’s hectic world, we take the worry out of "what will we do with the dog". Got a dog you don't want? We can help.

Contact DISPOSADOG NOW!! FREE!!

No terms and conditions apply

This might be funny if it weren't true. The numbers of dogs surrendered into our pounds tells me, it is true, it also tells me that we, as a nation, are cruel, uncaring, selfish, and negligent, when it comes to our animals. To listen to the cries of surrendered dogs, and see them watch the door, waiting for the return of their owners is unbearable.

We have become a rich nation, we have money for everything and value on nothing. In relation to our treatment of animals, we as a nation, should hang our heads in shame; not just at the plight of these dogs, but the fact that no one in a position to do anything about the situation, cares enough to change it.

This country is a collective of people who, regardless of whether we are animal orientated or not, have a duty towards these defenceless creatures. We are the ones these animals are relying on, if we can't pull together to do something then there is no hope, and these animals have little enough of that as it is.

Between 2002 and 2004, we as a nation, have destroyed 55,650 mainly healthy dogs in our pounds. this is the equivalent of almost 2 Mount Everests!! We are producing companion animals just to slaughter them. This has to stop!

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi:

"You can judge the moral stature of a nation by the way it treats its animals."

Based on this statement, we in Ireland have very little in the way of moral stature.

Sunday September 30, 2007, 11:14 am
How is this any different than what happens where you are or where I am ???

Sunday September 30, 2007, 12:40 pm
Irish 'Pets' in Limbo! Irish government washes its' hands of responsibility for 'pet' animals.

The stark reality for 'pet' or companion animals in Ireland is, there is no ministerial or departmental responsibility for their welfare and protection. We have been informed by Minister Coughlan, " The position as regards my Department is that its statutory responsibility relates only to the welfare and protection of farmed animals and does not extend to animals kept as pets".

This revelation means no one in government has any responsibility for the protection and welfare of companion animals which goes some way towards explaining why the main animal protection legislation (The Protection of Animals Act, 1911) is coming up for its' centenary. It's the same old story, an animal has no value in Ireland, unless you can sit on it, eat it, sell it, or bet on it.

Without a minister responsible, we cannot move forward in relation to public attitude, funding, or indeed much needed legislation. This is a national scandal and one which successive governments have kept quiet. Many of the problems relating to the overproduction, abandonment and cruelty to animals comes down more to indifference and apathy as opposed to actual 'acts' of cruelty. Given the apathy and indifference of our government, this attitude is not surprising.

Lack of ministerial responsibility impacts, not just on legislation, but in relation to funding. At present, some rescue and welfare groups receive "ex gratia" payments from the Department of Agriculture and Food. "ex gratia" comes from the Latin meaning 'by favour'. It is when something is done voluntarily, or out of kindness. There is no obligation on the part of the giver. Animal welfare is not written into the book of estimates, so therefore the welfare community must wait until the minister estimates 'what is left in the pot' to see how much, if anything, they will get.

The rescue community provide a much needed public service and in a country which cares little for its companion animals, are overworked and undervalued. The work carried out by these groups is voluntary and most people would think, it is a 'good cause'. The National Lottery however, gives nothing to animal welfare because the Minister for Finance has decided that animals are not a worthy enough cause. Departments such as Defence and Health receive Lotto funding, despite being heavily subsidised from central government. Should we value golf courses more than our 'pets'? The minister seems to think so.

Could the lack of a 'responsible minister' be the reason for animals being ignored for so long? The answer to that is probably YES! If you believe this is something which needs to be addressed, if you feel your own pets are entitled to protection, please contact the leader of the government, Mr Bertie Ahern and ask him, as leader of the country, what he intends to do about this appalling situation.

This revelation does not just impact on abandoned or abused animals, but on every companion animal in the country. If you care, please make animal welfare an election issue in the upcoming general election. Animals can't vote, you can, make it count for them.
that's the difference