Charity asks for support as 4,000 people surrendered their dogs in 2023

A CHARITY has asked for support in the run-up to Christmas as almost 4,000 owners have asked to surrender their dogs.

Dogs Trust Ireland has appealed for support to ‘Save the Next Dog’ after nearly 4,000 people contacted them to surrender their dogs this year.

With 264 dogs to care for over the festive period and many more waiting to come into their care, the charity needs public support "more than ever" to help abandoned dogs across the country.

The charity’s annual ‘Santa Paws Day’ tradition involves lining up hundreds of generously donated dog toys in their rehoming centre and allowing one dog in at a time, to choose their own Christmas present. The dogs’ selection process and their unbridled joy at finding the perfect gift is recorded and has gone internationally viral for the past five years.

PR and Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, Corina Fitzsimons explained: "After such a difficult year that has seen almost 4,000 people contact us to surrender their dogs, it is so lovely to be able to share some cheerful canine content which we hope brings a smile to many faces."

Vonna Nolan, Dog School Head Coach at Dogs Trust Ireland continued: “It has been especially rewarding to see other organisations around the globe and individual dog owners take part in the tradition. Dogs love choice, it’s incredibly enriching for them and it’s something we try to do as often as possible. It can be as simple as allowing your dog to choose which direction to walk in or which treat to take from a selection.”

For further information or to help the charity, click here.