Latest news with #WicklowAnimalWelfareScheme
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wicklow dog owners offered ‘snip and chip' discount to encourage neutering
From speaking to some members of the public, the rescue centre's founder Fiona Gammell believes that in some cases the "exorbitant' vet charges on offer have a bearing on the ability of dog and cat owners to be able to afford to get their pets neutered. 'We heard at least two cases where two different vets in Co Wicklow were quoting €900 and €700 respectively for neutering XL Bully dogs,' added Fiona. 'This is far more than should be expected, especially from those on limited incomes. We did a 'snip and chip' for XL Bullys for €100. The owner paid €100 and Wicklow Animal Welfare paid the rest. That scheme has now ended. We had 108 dogs neutered on that scheme alone. Like every service provider, you can shop around and get the best value available.' She added: 'There can be a huge difference in prices charged from one vet to another, even in the same area, and from one county to another. I think the veterinary profession should come together and offer their own reduced rate schemes for those pet owners who cannot afford to neuter their animals on their own. 'Rescues can only do so much, but we need to have a concerted plan to help and prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals. We cannot do that on our own and in light of no government intervention or help being mooted, it would appear that the situation will only get worse.' In addition to neutering, Fiona is keen to press home to dog owners just how important it is to get your pet microchipped, with very few of the dogs who pass through Wicklow Animal Welfare before being rehomed arriving already chipped. Fiona said: 'Only one in every hundred of dogs we take in here are neutered, and only five in every one hundred dogs we take in are microchipped. Microchipping of canines became law ten years ago, it is against the law to have a non microchipped dog in your possession. Microchipping is the only real way to definitively determine ownership of a dog and is a big part of responsible dog ownership.' If you wish to book an appointment for your collie or collie cross to be neutered at Avondale Vet Clinic in Rathdrum on the Wicklow Animal Welfare Scheme then contact Mairead Nolan on 0404 46217.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Co Wicklow dog owners offered ‘snip and chip' discount to encourage neutering
From speaking to some members of the public, the rescue centre's founder Fiona Gammell believes that in some cases the "exorbitant' vet charges on offer have a bearing on the ability of dog and cat owners to be able to afford to get their pets neutered. 'We heard at least two cases where two different vets in Co Wicklow were quoting €900 and €700 respectively for neutering XL Bully dogs,' added Fiona. 'This is far more than should be expected, especially from those on limited incomes. We did a 'snip and chip' for XL Bullys for €100. The owner paid €100 and Wicklow Animal Welfare paid the rest. That scheme has now ended. We had 108 dogs neutered on that scheme alone. Like every service provider, you can shop around and get the best value available.' She added: 'There can be a huge difference in prices charged from one vet to another, even in the same area, and from one county to another. I think the veterinary profession should come together and offer their own reduced rate schemes for those pet owners who cannot afford to neuter their animals on their own. 'Rescues can only do so much, but we need to have a concerted plan to help and prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals. We cannot do that on our own and in light of no government intervention or help being mooted, it would appear that the situation will only get worse.' In addition to neutering, Fiona is keen to press home to dog owners just how important it is to get your pet microchipped, with very few of the dogs who pass through Wicklow Animal Welfare before being rehomed arriving already chipped. Fiona said: 'Only one in every hundred of dogs we take in here are neutered, and only five in every one hundred dogs we take in are microchipped. Microchipping of canines became law ten years ago, it is against the law to have a non microchipped dog in your possession. Microchipping is the only real way to definitively determine ownership of a dog and is a big part of responsible dog ownership.' If you wish to book an appointment for your collie or collie cross to be neutered at Avondale Vet Clinic in Rathdrum on the Wicklow Animal Welfare Scheme then contact Mairead Nolan on 0404 46217.
