Animal Lovers

A site dedicated to animals and animal lovers in Ireland

So you think you're an animal lover...show you're support by helping these needy animal rescue organisations...

• PAWS Based in Sallins, Co.Kildare. An excellent site dedicated to animal rescue. Lots of resources, a homes needed section, and many true stories about the animals they have rescued. You can help by making a donation or by supporting any of their upcoming fundraising events. Now accepting secure online credit card donations.
• Drogeda Animal Rescue Centre Based in Drogheda, Co.Louth. They rescue dogs and cats in the whole North East region. Homes needed section updated regularly. Due to the forced closure of their premises they are in urgent need of foster homes and donations to pay cattery/kennel fees. They are also hoping to raise enough funds to build a new premises in the near future.
• Friends of Animals Based in Mullingar, Co.WestMeath. They rescue dogs, goats, and many other animals in the midlands area. You can help them by making a donation or volunteering your time for walking dogs etc.
• Dublin SPCAThe Dublin branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. You can help them by giving a donation or volunteering to help with fundraising or caring for the animals. Other ways you can help are by sponsoring one of their rescued animals or by switching to their special DSPCA Visa card, sponsored by MBNA.
• Assisi Animal Rescue Centre Based in Co.Wicklow, Brigid rescues cats and dogs and operates a non-destruction policy. You can help her by volunteering your time, sponsoring an animal, or donating particular items or services as requested on the website.
• ISPCA The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Support the National Animal Centre in Co. Longford by volunteering for dog walking or by making a secure online credit card donation. Alternatively, make a donation or offer your free time to your local SPCA branch.
• Irish Animals A wonderful resource site with links and homes needed sections for rescue organisations all over the country. Also mailing lists that you can sign up to, information on pet care and animal welfare, and a section on what people can do to help. Now includes an active discussion forum where people can talk about all things animal related.
• This page contains a series of stories written by me in which I've tried to imagine how the animals might feel when they are subjected to abuse and/or neglect. For every tear you shed when reading the stories I recommend you donate 1 euro to one of the rescue organisations above. Go to Through Their Eyes.
• Not everyone can afford to make a monetary donation - here I have listed some other ways you can help.

Thinking about getting a pet? First check out these links for advice and tips on pet care...

• Pet Planet (UK) Online store for pet food and products (delivery to Ireland for £10 sterling); dog breed profiles; articles and advice on health, welfare, behaviour and other issues.
• PetMad An online shopping site being run by the Irish highstreet chain PetShop Superstore. Offers online shopping and also contains some excellent resources and advice articles on dogs, cats, birds, and other small pets. Currently offline (as of 16/08/2002).
• MyPetStop (UK) An excellent pet portal. Information and advice on cats, dogs, horses, fish, birds and other animals. Discussion forums where you can ask the opinions of other pet owners, select-a-dog questionnaire which helps you identify the dog breeds most-suited to your lifestyle, fun fair page where you can play games, send pet postcards, read pet poems and stories, and download some pet wallpapers or tv commercials.
• More online pet stores - Buy food, toys, equipment for your new pet at Pets With Attitude or Champion Pets (UK).
• Adopting a puppy? Have a look at the Puppy Page to find some useful tips and resources on puppy ownership.
• Is your cat ruining your furniture with his/her sharp claws? Whatever you do, do not even consider the mutilation known as declawing. Find out why...
• Has your pet been spayed or neutered? Take a look at the advantages of spaying and neutering, see what it involves, and read some common questions and answers about spaying and neutering - Dogs Q & A or Cats Q & A.
• Finally, here are some hints and tips on pet care.

Other interesting things, animal jokes and pics...

• Want to know what your cat is really thinking? Take a look at these Excerpts from a Cat's Diary.
• Cats like you've never seen - Mad Cat , Big Cat, Giant Cat, Wet Cat!!
• And here are some pictures of my pets - Page 1, Page 2.
• Maybe horses are more your thing? If you're thinking of learning to ride check out my own experiences to date here.

Interested in a career working with animals? Check out the following links to see what options there are, what's involved, and how to go about it...

• The Animal Care College UK college offering courses in many aspects of animal care through distance education.
• Article on Working in the Animal Care Industry by David Cavill.
• So you want to be a...Vet A careers article by TotalJobs.com
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK)
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in UCD
• Need more info? Buy one of these books:
• Working with Animals An excellent book by vet Alex Gough on all aspects of working with animals, many different careers are covered, and plenty of details on each. A great book to help you get a feel for which area of working with animals you would be intersted in.
• Working with Animals - UK, Europe and Worldwide The only book I have found so far which covers working with animals in countries other than the UK.

All of the doggy graphics on this page are freely available from the Doggy Graphics Gallery. All other graphics courtesy of CatStuff.