Thursday, December 17, 2009

Minister Killeen Announces Grants Of EUR24k For Clare Animal Welfare Bodies

Mr Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, today announced the award of ex-gratia payments of 24,000 euro to animal welfare bodies in County Clare to assist them in their work during the coming year.

The allocations form part of payments totalling 1,185,000 euro being made to animal welfare bodies throughout the country to assist in their work in 2010. The Clare recipients of funding are Mandy Ellis - 1,000 euro, Second Chance Animal Rescue Ltd. (SCAR) - 12,000 euro, Clare Animal Welfare Ltd. Ennis - 5,000 euro, and Clare SPCA, Clonoghan - 6,000 euro.

Minister Killeen commented: “I am in no doubt that the money will be put to good use by the organisations in County Clare in providing the best possible service towards animals in their care”.

Minister Killeen said that the funding for animal welfare organisations was evidence of the Government’s commitment in the area of animal welfare and he emphasised the contribution that animal welfare organisations make to assist animals in need. He continued: “As the grants being announced do not cover the full costs of the increasing demands being placed upon organisations, these groups still require the ongoing generous financial support of the general public to enable them fulfil their mission to promote animal welfare and relieve animal suffering”.

Minister Killeen appealed to parents and others to think responsibly when considering giving a pet as a present. He urged people to heed the warnings and advice offered by the animal welfare organisations in this regard.