COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 11, 2023

QUESTION NO. 29

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive to outline any proactive shelter overcrowding contingency plan for dog animal welfare?

REPLY:

Midland Animal Care Limited has provided Dog Shelter and related services for South Dublin County Council (SDCC) since they were appointed on the 1st of October 2021. Dog Warden Services for South Dublin continue to be provided by the Council's full time Dog Wardens.

As part of SDCCs and Midland Animal Care Limited contingency plan, the company proactively works with rehoming organisations across Ireland to rehome dogs. To date in 2023, 393 stray dogs have entered the shelter from the South Dublin administrative area. A further 65 dogs were surrendered by their owners. A total of 91 stray dogs have been reclaimed by their owners to date. 341 dogs have been rehomed in 2023, 203 of these to rescue organisations and a further 138 to the public.

Frequent, unannounced inspections are carried out by the Council's Veterinary Inspectors. As a result of these inspections, where necessary, corrective action reports are sent to Midland Animal Care for attention. Any such reports are followed up by the Council's Veterinary Inspector.

SDCC meet regularly with the management of Midland Animal Care Limited to review contract delivery.