Type NPO Registration no. CHY 5619 Focus Animal protection | Tax ID no. 460571 Legal status Charity Motto Caring for all animals | |
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Formation May 1949; 67 years ago (1949-05) | ||
The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Irish: Cumann na hÉireann um Fhóirithint ar Ainmhithe), most commonly known as and referred to as the ISPCA, is a charity operating in the Republic of Ireland which promotes animal welfare and is recognised as Ireland’s national animal welfare organisation. The ISPCA is concerned for the welfare of animals in all circumstances, but recognises that animals will be used in a number of different ways within society and strives to ensure that welfare of all animals is protected. The ISPCA is funded mostly by public donations and an ex-gratia grant from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In 2014, the helpline received over 21,000 calls.
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Foundation of the charity
The charity was founded in May 1949 by a group of committed volunteers from various areas in Ireland. The ISPCA is represented internationally through active membership of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
Establishment of the ISPCA National Animal Centre
In 2002, the ISPCA National Animal Centre was established in order to support the ISPCA the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of animals that have been cruelly treated, neglected and abused. The centre is situated on 88 acres (36 ha) in rural Longford. The centre is designed to provide veterinary care and rehabilitation to all animals subjected to cruelty or neglect and to return them to a state which enables them to be responsibly re-homed.
Biggest canine rescue in Irish history
In February 2013, the ISPCA along with four other organisations worked together to undertake the biggest dog rescue in Ireland. They removed over 140 dogs from a property in rural Leitrim where the animals were living “in deplorable conditions”. The dogs were mostly Bichon Frise crosses, King Charles Cavaliers and Shih Tzus.
“The condition of the animals was appalling, their coats were extremely matted and many had thick dreads of matted hair right down to their skin. Their coats were also matted with a mix of sawdust, dog faeces and mud and their legs were soaked in urine. Many of the animals were also suffering from eye problems and one had to have an eye removed, while the ISPCA was forced to put another animal to sleep, which is hugely disappointing while being a mercy there wasn’t more than one.”—ISPCA Chief Inspector, Conor Dowling