The ISPCA and DSPCA are merging and rebranding to crack down on animal cruelty
DSPCA and ISPCA have signed an agreement to form a single, integrated national animal welfare organisation, the National SPCA, which will be up and running by October 1 2025.
According to the charities, Ireland is currently experiencing an animal welfare crisis, with record numbers of animals requiring rescue, treatment and rehoming.
Advertisement
The Journal
previously reported that since Covid-19 animal welfare organisations have been under significant strain, with some charities
only having the resources to take the most urgent neglect cases
.
Chief Inspector for the ISPCA, Conor Dowling, told
The Journal
there has been a rise in animal neglect due to a 'lasting fallout from Covid and the lockdowns' when dog ownership and breeding increased.
ISPCA and DSPCA are Ireland's largest animal welfare organisations in the country, they are coming together to benefit from 'combined resources, structure, expertise, facilities and geographical reach'.
A kitten rescued by the DSPCA.
According to a statement released today, the National SPCA plans to deliver a greater impact on animal welfare by having one strong voice for animal welfare and one national animal welfare inspectorate.
Related Reads
DSPCA calls for task force to address 'growing' horse welfare crisis in Dublin
Increase in animal neglect since Covid-19 means Irish shelters can only take urgent cases
The merger will also expand national animal welfare education programmes and operate national animal shelters.
Paul Connell, Chair of the DSPCA, will be Chair of the new organisation and Pat Watt, CEO of DSPCA, will become CEO of the National SPCA when operational. The Board of the new organisation will include representatives of both the DSPCA and the ISPCA.
Speaking at the announcement, DSPCA CEO, Pat Watt said; 'This is a transformational and exciting development for animal welfare in Ireland, bringing together the two largest animal welfare charities who share a mutual commitment, ambition and vision to form one integrated national animal welfare organisation.'
Paul Connell, Chair of the DSPCA said: 'The new charity represents a positive pooling of resources, expertise, history and DNA to create a stronger national entity that will deliver a seamless national approach to benefit animal welfare policies, legislation, enforcement and on the ground animal welfare initiatives.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘I can't get the patients I left behind out of my head' – healthcare staff to walk in silent solidarity with Gaza medics on Dublin march
Healthcare workers in Ireland, many of whom have saved lives in Gaza, will wear scrubs or dress in black for the march. Members of the public have also been invited to attend. One surgeon planning to attend, Mohamed Shaalan works at Tallaght Hospital and travelled from Dublin to work in Gaza in March last year. However, the father of four has been unable to return, and was recently stopped at the border. Dr Shaalan, who has developed specialised treatment for urgent medical needs in Gaza, said he grows increasingly concerned for his patients, his medical colleagues and the injured. He said he lost 9kg when he visited Gaza last year. But now – although he knows he would be risking his life re-entering the Gaza Strip – he wants to return. 'Food was incredibly scarce at that time, but I know there's almost no food now,' Dr Shaalan said. 'But I can't get the patients I left behind out of my head. I think of them every night and I pray for them. 'I'm a father, but I'm not afraid to go back to Gaza – I know it's the right thing to do.' An orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Shaalan – who is originally from Egypt but is now an Irish citizen and lives here with his family – previously volunteered in parts of Africa. He said that due to his experience working with little and rudimentary equipment, he is well placed to help in Gaza. The surgeon has developed a specialised treatment for patients suffering bone injury. However, he is currently only able to offer advice to his Palestinian medical colleagues remotely and he wants to be on the ground 'to save lives'. 'The injuries in Gaza, I've never seen before. It's terrible. People have multiple injuries. Seventy per cent of my patients were women and children,' he said. The children passed away from shock – in a normal country they would have been saved 'I saw a lot of children with third-degree burns, more than 60 to 70pc of their bodies were burned. 'The images stayed with me. I saw children pass away because there was no medical equipment to help cover the burnt skin. 'The children passed away from shock. In a normal country, like Ireland, they would have been saved.' Dr Shaalan said medical workers are being killed, along with the 'forgotten ambulance crews' in Gaza. 'Many are injured, many are killed. We don't know how many medical staff, doctors, nurses, ambulance crew have died,' he added. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mahmoud Abumarzouq (43), from Gaza , who works at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, Co Meath, has lost several members of his family in Gaza, including his brother Ahmet Mahmoud (29), and four of his nephews and nieces. 'People in Ireland, the UK and across the world need to put much more pressure on their governments to protect the people of Gaza, as well as medical professionals,' Dr Abumarzouq said. 'So many doctors have been killed in Gaza. We read about such horrors in the history books, but how can this be happening in 2025? 'It's important people show up, shout, protest, donate and pressurise politicians, because we are witnessing the collapse of the entire humanitarian system and legal system, as well as what is taking place in Gaza. 'European governments must put more pressure on Israel. We must protect the people of Gaza.' Though he works as a doctor in Navan and is a father of four children, Dr Abumarzouq said he 'splits' himself 'in three' to get through each day. 'We turn the news off at home because the children need to live a happy, normal life,' he said. 'But they know something is wrong in Gaza. I have to be empathetic and kind to my patients, and cannot bring this trauma with me to work. But since October 2023, I've not been the same person. I've been half-living in Ireland and half-living in Gaza, worrying for my family, grieving my people.' Anna Cleminson (51), a palliative care consultant at University Hospital Kerry, is also a trained GP. She volunteered in Gaza weeks before the conflict broke out in October 2023. Since then she has lost several Palestinian colleagues to the Israeli bombardment. Dr Cleminson is currently supporting an undergraduate medical training programme in Gaza despite the daily threat of Israeli strikes on medical students and medics. 'I'm marking their essays. It is vital to train doctors and nurses, so we need to continue to do that,' she said. 'For me, this is my small contribution and I know there's a strong link between Ireland and Gaza. My colleagues there and the people of Gaza gain some strength from people protesting here.'
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Wicklow-born architect wins prestigious Australian architecture prize
The State Medal, one of the highest architectural honours in South Australia, was awarded to the Wicklow native for his design of the Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB). In addition, Mr Duffy's project was given three other accolades: the Dr John Mayfield Award for Education Architecture, the Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture, and the Award for Sustainable Architecture. Mr Duffy is the principal architect at Adelaide-based architectural firm Architectus with more than 20 years of experience leading education and science projects across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand and Australia. Commenting on the winning design, the jury said: 'This project masterfully integrates sustainable principles, collaboration and cultural connection, setting a new standard for holistic educational architecture.' Mr Duffy began his architectural journey when he won an all-Ireland gold medal for art at St Kevin's CBS in Arklow before completing a degree in the School of Architecture in Bolton Street, Dublin. He credits his Irish roots for jumpstarting his global success. 'Winning these awards is a proud moment. I'm honoured to represent Irish architectural talent on the world stage,' he said.
The Journal
12 hours ago
- The Journal
The ISPCA and DSPCA are merging and rebranding to crack down on animal cruelty
TWO LEADING ANIMAL welfare charities are merging to create a new national animal welfare organisation and improve delivery of services, as the country sees record breaking levels of animal welfare issues. DSPCA and ISPCA have signed an agreement to form a single, integrated national animal welfare organisation, the National SPCA, which will be up and running by October 1 2025. According to the charities, Ireland is currently experiencing an animal welfare crisis, with record numbers of animals requiring rescue, treatment and rehoming. Advertisement The Journal previously reported that since Covid-19 animal welfare organisations have been under significant strain, with some charities only having the resources to take the most urgent neglect cases . Chief Inspector for the ISPCA, Conor Dowling, told The Journal there has been a rise in animal neglect due to a 'lasting fallout from Covid and the lockdowns' when dog ownership and breeding increased. ISPCA and DSPCA are Ireland's largest animal welfare organisations in the country, they are coming together to benefit from 'combined resources, structure, expertise, facilities and geographical reach'. A kitten rescued by the DSPCA. According to a statement released today, the National SPCA plans to deliver a greater impact on animal welfare by having one strong voice for animal welfare and one national animal welfare inspectorate. Related Reads DSPCA calls for task force to address 'growing' horse welfare crisis in Dublin Increase in animal neglect since Covid-19 means Irish shelters can only take urgent cases The merger will also expand national animal welfare education programmes and operate national animal shelters. Paul Connell, Chair of the DSPCA, will be Chair of the new organisation and Pat Watt, CEO of DSPCA, will become CEO of the National SPCA when operational. The Board of the new organisation will include representatives of both the DSPCA and the ISPCA. Speaking at the announcement, DSPCA CEO, Pat Watt said; 'This is a transformational and exciting development for animal welfare in Ireland, bringing together the two largest animal welfare charities who share a mutual commitment, ambition and vision to form one integrated national animal welfare organisation.' Paul Connell, Chair of the DSPCA said: 'The new charity represents a positive pooling of resources, expertise, history and DNA to create a stronger national entity that will deliver a seamless national approach to benefit animal welfare policies, legislation, enforcement and on the ground animal welfare initiatives.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
