'Clarity' and 'support' needed after ISPCA Animal Rehabilitation Centre closure

A Donegal Municipal District Councillor has called for greater clarity and funding for animal centres following the closure of Donegal’s animal rehabilitation centre

Cllr Noel Jordan was speaking at October’s Donegal Municipal District meeting at Donegal Town, about the rehabilitation centre, located at Ballyare, Letterkenny, which closed its doors after the withdrawal of The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA). 

The ISPCA took over management of the centre from the Donegal SPCA, which founded the centre in 2018.

Cllr Jordan had previously described the closure as a “serious setback for animal welfare in Donegal” and said the closest centre that provides similar services was in Longford.

At Donegal’s Municipal District Meeting, Cllr Jordan commented: “The centre remains closed, and it is putting huge pressure on the smaller centres. They have not the resources or the room to cater to bringing in more animals. 

“It is worrying because there are a number of reasons why there needs to be a rescue. 

READ NEXT: Donegal MD to send letter to Simon Harris against quota cuts

“What I am asking for is an update for the department because it is not sustainable for this department to be closed. The closest town is Longford. Going forward, it is not sustainable. They are not being included in any talks.

“That centre was built by the community, really. They built a state-of-the-art centre which was dealing with the whole county basically. It has put smaller centres under pressure and under financial pressure, too. 

“We need to see that open again. It doesn’t make any sense when the Dublin service says this would be better coverage. We need additional financial support to keep services going. 

“We can write a letter to them. In summary, the two issues we are trying to get clarity on are the closing of the centre in Letterkenny and the resources or funding for those services.”