Based at Bellescourt, Scholes Lane in Co Louth, Drogheda Animal Rescue is solely managed by volunteers.
Saying that they are "inundated with requests for
puppies", staff at Drogheda Animal Rescue have shared a lengthy message to social media in response to some of the things they've been asked by customers recently.
"A MESSAGE FROM OUR FRUSTRATED DOG TEAM - Listen Up!
"Folks, we are inundated with requests for puppies and they are now bordering on the ridiculous. This is echoed throughout many other rescues and even the county dog pounds.
"Firstly, we are an animal rescue. We take in stray, abandoned, abused, neglected, and unwanted dogs. We don't know what each day will bring. Our mission is to help these dogs by rehabilitating them, giving the veterinary care they need, and finding the most suitable new home for them.
"Also, may we remind you that we are at LEVEL 5 COVID19 restrictions, with a further tighten up on restrictions expected. We cannot facilitate the rehoming of dogs counties such as Co Wicklow, Co Wexford, Co Limerick, Co Kildare, Co Monaghan, Co Cavan, Dublin, Co Cork, etc ... and even Northern Ireland."
Going on to detail some of the requests they've gotten in recently, staff reiterated the fact that the team is made up unpaid volunteers, all of whom do this in their own time.
"We do this all in our own time as volunteers. None of us are paid and often use our own resources to help facilitate the rescue and care of animals. We are but a very small team of volunteers, and our uniforms are usually dirty from mucky paw prints, dog hair, dried dog drool, blood from occasional dog bites, and tears that we wipe away when we have to say good-bye to a dog, and lay it to rest.
"We are not AMAZON! We don't have hundreds of breed specific pups on our shelves waiting to be bought and shipped out to new homes. We are an animal rescue that picks up the pieces when owners fail their dogs by placing high expectations on the dog that it cannot possibly ever fulfil. We help people to rehome their dogs when they encounter difficulties that life brings them, and they can no longer look after their dogs. We're kind of like a rescue dog's social worker.
"AND, we need your understanding, patience, and support. Thank you for reading and hearing us out. Now ... for a cup of tea and a biscuit."
Header image via Shutterstock
