Causeway Coast Dog Rescue held their annual Companion Animal Welfare conference in Stormont on Wednesday 2nd October to discuss ‘collaboration’ as a key theme for all those working in animal welfare.
There are over thirty-four charities rescuing and rehoming unwanted animals in Northern Ireland, and just one of them alone is spending more £ for £ than DAERA’s investment into the whole island service of animal welfare.
“The commitment and financial investment by charities to delivering the services which should be delivered by government is astounding”, stated Tara Cunningham Causeway Coast Dog Rescue.
“today we heard from speakers from all over the UK and Ireland who spoke about collaboration projects which included: ‘onehealth’ ; the impact of domestic violence on animal welfare; protect our communities is protecting our animals; service delivery by government agencies; charity volunteers and staff’s mental health awareness; policy and legislation in NI and Ireland and of course our financial investment into the country.
“Dogs Trust recently invested in a multi-million pound facility in Ballymena and is spending over £1.25m per year just to rescue dogs from Council pounds in their Chance of a Lifetime Scheme, before Council dog wardens euthanise them. Euthanisation by Councils doubled last year compared to previous years. These are the lengths we are prepared to go to just to save unwanted animals.” Stated Tara
“These speakers have travelled from throughout the UK and Ireland to share their expertise and I personally thank Peter Laurie, CEO Battersea Dog and Cats Home; Adam Clowes and Conor Okane Dogs Trust; Helen Ballantyne ‘One Health’ animal and human nurse; Dr Paula Boyden The Links Group and Dogs Trust Veterinary Director; Mark Randell Naturewatch; Dr Tara Quin Human Animal Welfare Alliance; Professor Carri Westgarth, Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership; and Demi Mullan Legal Advisor Ireland.
And of course, our Chair Maggie Dimsdale-Bobby for leading the conference and Claire Sugden MLA as our sponsor. We now look forward to following up with the delegates to collaborate and take forward opportunities to drive forward animal welfare reform in Northern Ireland. We must do better, as all dogs deserve a second chance.” www.causewaycoastdogrescue.
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Speakers from this year’s Companion Animal Welfare Conference 2024 in Stormont Belfast, with ‘Archie’ !
Natalie Harney, NaturewatchUK; Dr Paula Boyden BVetMed MRCVS, Chair The Links Group and Veterinary Director Dogs Trust; Dr Andrea Lynch The Links Group; Demi Mullan Legal Advisor ROI; Dr Tara Quinn CPsychol AFBOsS HCPC Reg; Peter Laurie CEO Battersea Dog and Cats Homes; Scott Fryer, Policy Battersea Dog and Cats Homes; Mark Randell Naturewatch UK; Adam Clowes Dogs Trust UK; Karen Reed Dogs Trust International; Conor OKane Dogs Trust NI; Professor Carri WestGarth Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership; Tara Cunningham CCDR Manager and host of CCDR Collaboration Conference and Archie!
