Donegal Animals in Need: Sad news as Letterkenny charity shop has to close

Animals In Need (AIN) have announced the closure of their Letterkenny charity shop.

AIN volunteers have run the Lower Main Street shop for six years, having taken it over after the closure of Donegal Pet Rescue.

However, due to high running costs and the current financial climate, the charity shop will have to close its doors permanently on March 25, although AIN’s Donegal Town shop will remain open.

This is a great blow to the organisation as the charity shops have been a major source of funding for AIN’s every day running costs.

From now, until the shop closes down, there is an ‘everything must go’ sale on, so please pop in to grab a bargain and show your support one last time. The Letterkenny shop is open Tuesday-Friday 11am to 4pm.

Stray cat Susie gave birth to six kittens

AIN would like to thank all the volunteers who worked in the shop and the customers who supported it over the years, as you have all played a part in raising funds which have saved many animals.

There will be a new drop off point in Letterkenny for donations of pet food and toys. For further information, please contact AIN on 087-7644420.

Meanwhile, AIN will continue to rescue animals around the county.

The charity is currently seeking new dog fosterers. 

The criteria for becoming a dog fosterer includes being passionate about dogs and wanting to help the unwanted ones by caring for them and giving them plenty of TLC whilst they await their forever home.

If this sounds like you and you are over 18, are either recently retired, work from home or work part-time, have experience with dogs and an enclosed garden, your own transport and live within driving distance of Donegal Town, you could be just what AIN are looking for.

AIN dog fosterers will look after one or two dogs in their own home. Outside runs can be provided for the dogs, along with their food and any veterinary expenses are covered by the charity.

Caring for rescued animals is not always easy but it is extremely rewarding.

For further information, please contact the main helpline or contact AIN by messaging their Facebook page.

If you are more of a cat person, ‘Kitten Season’ has just started which means there will be hundreds of kittens and cats needing to be fostered in the near future.

Once again, fosterers look after the animals in their own homes and their bedding, food and vet bills are all covered by the charity.

For more information on cat and kitten fostering, please contact the cat helpline.

The majority of the animals rescued by AIN are cats and dogs, but they also get called out to help wildlife or to help to rehome other domesticated species from time to time.

On Saturday last, AIN rescued an injured Herring Gull, who has been transferred to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre to receive treatment.

AIN also has two baby domesticated rabbits in foster care at the moment, after they were found by a cat in its garden.

The rabbits are doing well and their ears are now starting to flop as they are getting older. They are too young for rehoming as yet but will be available in a couple of weeks’ time.

Back at the cattery, pregnant stray cat Susie finally gave birth this week.

The two baby rabbits are doing well 

Susie was the first pregnant cat to arrive at AIN in 2022 and was already very large when she came in, so it was thought she was about to give birth at any time.

However, she continued to swell for another three weeks until last weekend, when she gave birth to six large, healthy kittens.

Mum cat Susie and her kittens are all doing well.

To help AIN’s animals, please donate €2 to AIN’s ‘Help Us To Help Them’ fundraising appeal via your phone by texting the word ‘KITTEN’ to 50300. Every last cent goes directly to the rescued animals for their food, bedding, vet bills, worming treatment and vaccinations.

For further information on adoption, fostering, volunteering etc, please contact the main helpline on 087 1356188. For cat/kitten enquiries please call 087 7644420. Animals In Need Donegal is also on Facebook and has a website at http://www.animalsinneeddonegal.com.