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089 4612537

info@fingalspca.ie
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Fingal S.P.C.A.

Fingal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

News

Thank You

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THANK YOU

Donations of any size are incredibly important to charities.  They enable us to continue our work and reserve our cash for the bills we need to pay.

So we were DELIGHTED to receive three incredibly generous donations from the Kinsealy Pet Store, Maxizoo Clarehall and Lidl Swords recently.

Maxizoo and Kinsealy Pet Store donated food for cats, dogs and rabbits, some litter, treats and 3 carriers, which will be so useful when we trap, neuter and return some of the wild cat population.

And the Lidl vouchers will be spent on food, litter and other essentials for the animals.

So thank you very much to Lidl Swords, Maxizoo and Kinsealy Pet Shop for their generous donations, the Society and the animals in our care, really appreciate it.

lidl ireland
Maxizoo logo
Kinsealy Pet Store

Keep your Pet safe at Easter

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Happy Easter to you and your pets

With Easter fast approaching, we are urging pet owners to keep all chocolate safely out of the reach of our pet companions. Over the past year, many people have welcomed a dog or cat into their home and so we want to highlight how toxic chocolate, that is meant for human consumption, can be for our furry friends.

We also want to make owners aware of the signs of chocolate toxicity in a dog, after research revealed that vets are twice as likely to see pets with chocolate poisoning at Easter.

Veterinary and Welfare Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, Niamh Curran-Kelly said: “Please make sure that children know their chocolate eggs are not for sharing with their furry friends. As toxic doses vary greatly, depending on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate ingested, if you suspect your dog has eaten any quantity of chocolate, please contact your vet for advice immediately. Prompt veterinary treatment can really improve a dog’s chances of making a full recovery”

We also recommend storing you vet’s out of hours contact number in your phone, in case of an emergency this weekend, such as your dog getting their paws on some chocolate.

What are the symptoms of chocolate toxicity in dogs?

Even if your dog is showing no symptoms, but you suspect he/she may have eaten chocolate, please contact your vet as they may be able to give emergency treatment to prevent poisoning.

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tender abdomen
  • Excessive thirst
  • Excitability
  • Racing heart rate
  • Drooling
  • Tremors or in severe cases, seizures.

How can you keep your pet safe?

  • Never feed your pet chocolate intended for humans.
  • Keep your chocolate in a safe place – this means hidden out of sight and out of reach from your pet.
  • If your egg (or any chocolate) is missing and you suspect that your pet is the culprit, contact your vet straight away.
  • It is helpful if you can tell your vet how much chocolate, and the type of chocolate, you think your dog may have ingested. If you have any packaging, take it with you to the vets.
  • The sooner treatment is implemented, the greater the chance of recovery.
  • If you want to treat your pet this Easter, we recommend you stick to pet-friendly treats (in moderation) that are kinder to your canine and always have your local vet’s emergency number saved in your phone, just in case.

 

Our thanks to the good people at Dogs Trust for this excellent information.

Found a Hedgehog?

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Found a Hedgehog?

Have you found a hedgehog?

How do you know if it needs to be rescued?  Well if you answer yes to any of the list below then yes it does need help:

  • Road traffic casualty
  • Out during the day
  • Unresponsive but not in nest (hedgehogs only hibernate in nests)
  • Damaged limb/s
  • Limb protruding when curled up
  • Underweight at wintertime (under 600g by November)
  • Obvious wounds
  • Injured baby hedgehog (often making high pitched pipping sound)
  • Baby hedgehog if it’s on its own, and only after lengthy observation from a distance
  • Trapped or caught e.g. down a drain / in fencing – do not cut free and release
  • If unresponsive/unconscious – needs veterinary attention immediately

If you accidentally uncover a hibernating hedgehog, please don’t move it. Cover it over again with a thick layer of dry leaves and leave it to sleep. Put some water and some dry or wet cat/dog food (non-fish based food) nearby in case you have woken it up and it comes out of hibernation. Please do not give it bread or milk.

Initially, we ask you watch the hedgehog to see what it does for a short time. Please do not pick up a healthy-looking hedgehog unless you have concerns.

If you are still concerned about the hedgehog, pick it up (wearing gardening, or thick, gloves), put it in a high-sided cardboard box/cat carrier/hamster cage. Line the box with an old towel/fleece at the bottom for it to hide in and keep warm (or plenty of newspaper if you have nothing else). Put down more water and cat/dog food and put the hedgehog somewhere quiet, dark & warm. Please keep away from children and domestic animals.

For hedgehogs who need our help, please call, or text Hedgehog Rescue Dublin on 086 881 0492, as soon as you can. If you don’t get a respond right away,  please keep trying as they might be out on a hedgehog rescue, or on feeding duty and may miss your first attempt.

Our thanks to Hedgehog Rescue Dublin for this invaluable information.

HedgeHog Rescue Dublin

Hedgehog Rescue Dublin, based in150 150 logo Rush, are a non-profit organisation, dedicated to rescuing sickly, orphaned and/or injured hedgehogs in the Leinster area.

Their ultimate aim is to return hedgehogs back into the wild once we have nursed them back to full health. They do not rehome hedgehogs to the general public, but have a number of safe wild habitats where they release the hedgehogs to live out the rest of their lives.

You can contact Hedgehog Rescue Dublin on 086 881 0492, on Facebook or via their website

Story of the Month

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In the Back of the Net!

Just look at this little beauty! 

She was one of two stray kittens who were being fed by the generous people in Naul.  Unfortunately one of the kittens became entangled with netting from a goal post.  And despite best efforts she could not be caught.

So our assistance was asked for as it could not be caught.  Up stepped our volunteer Claire and sped to the rescue!

With a LOT of patience, Claire was able to trap the kitten and bring it home and remove all the netting.  The kitten is now being looked after in our foster care and we already have a loving home lined up for her. 

Don't worry the second kitten also found a home with the family who had been feeding the two siblings.

Foster for us

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Can you Foster?

Would you consider becoming a temporary fosterer to an animal?

We rescue all sorts of animals: dogs, cats/kittens even budgies and as we don’t have a physical shelter, all the animals we rescue are taken into either kennels/catteries or the homes of our foster volunteers until a permanent home can be found.

We are always looking for more foster homes because the more places we have available, the more animals we can take in and help.

Sometimes it may be that you have considered adopting an animal but feel your current lifestyle just doesn’t suit a long term commitment? Or maybe you’re not sure how you and a pet would get on? Fostering is an ideal way of helping an animal in need and gaining valuable first hand experience of owning a pet.

A loving foster home works wonders for any animal who has experienced abandonment and a tough start in life.  A loving foster home can allow them to become socialised and develop into a friendly contented animal, while they wait for their new forever home.  So if you have a secure premises and a lot of love, then fostering could be for you.

We cover all veterinary costs and supply food and litter.  Advice and backup is always on hand.

Send us an email and let's talk

Yes I'm interested in fostering

Volunteer

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Volunteer

Become a Volunteer

The Fingal SPCA is comprised entirely of volunteers. They are the lifeblood of our organization and the reason we are able to offer services to the animals who need our help each year.

In particular, we are seeking volunteers to help with rescuing animals by catching wild cats and bringing them to the Vets for spaying or treatment. This helps reduce the overpopulation of stray cats and promote better health and quality of life for the neutered male and spayed female.

Our problem a lot of the time is lack of manpower in getting the traps to the areas needed.

We would love to have more volunteers in the Fingal area to help us continue with this vital work.

Training will be given but you will need a car or van. Limited petrol expenses available.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer please contact us on 089 461 2537 or by email

Yes I'm interested in volunteering