By Tara McCormack
ANIMALS In Need Donegal embarked on a mission in 2006 to alleviate the suffering of animals.
What started as a modest endeavour has grown over the years, as more people became aware of the group’s tireless work and joined the cause.Animals
Originally, Animals In Need focused on fundraising to support other animal welfare organisations.
However, as the need for direct intervention grew, the group transitioned into a hands-on volunteer organisation.
They began rescuing and re-homing animals, responding to the heart-breaking situations where innocent lives hung in the balance.
The growing crisis, however, is not just about the number of animals needing rescue.
The harsh reality is that “not every home deserves a dog, but every dog deserves a home” Gitte Mcmullin told the Donegal News.
As a full time cat fosterer and volunteer for Animals In Need Donegal she highlighted the surge in pet abandonment and the increasing number of animals being euthanized.
This is a direct result of people not fully considering the long-term commitment that pet ownership entails.
“Next thing is people will be looking for pups and kittens for Christmas time,” Gitte warns. “They are not just a one-off present and it’s a big financial commitment.”
The challenges don’t end with unwanted litters or Christmas pets.
Many calls to the organisation are from people who no longer trust their pets, often after a biting incident.
“People don’t like making tough decisions,” Gitte shared.
“A lot of calls we get are about a dog after biting someone, asking ‘can you take it because I can’t trust the dog anymore’, but what they don’t understand is if they can’t trust the dog, how can we?”
The unfortunate truth is that some dogs become non-rehomeable, and the difficult decision to euthanize falls to the organisation.
A decision that is “heart-breaking” and never taken lightly.
Animals In Need faces a daily battle against time, space, and resources.
A recent post from them paints a grim picture: “Shelters everywhere are FULL. High-kill, low-kill, fosters, breeders, rescuers…all are full.
Pregnant moms, puppies, so many really GOOD dogs are being euthanized here daily.”
This crisis underscores the urgent need for responsible pet ownership.
“Before getting an animal, there are many things to consider,” Gitte urges.
“We always ask people to look at their lifestyle, look at their home and look at their circumstance.”
Taking on a pet is not just about providing food and shelter, it’s about a commitment to a life, one that involves time, care, and financial responsibility.
As adoptions reach an all-time low and more animals are dropped off than ever before, the message from Animals In Need is clear: “Please keep your pet and please care for them. Please spay/neuter your pet, train your dog, find resources to help. And it’s okay if you work and have to leave your pet at home, trust me. It is WAY worse here.”
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