Title: Major Animal Rescue Operation: 207 Pets Removed from Kildare Home Due to Overcrowding
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A total of 207 animals, including 25 dogs, 95 rabbits, 58 guinea pigs, 22 hamsters, four mice, a terrapin, a turtle, and a corn snake were removed. ISPCA inspector Jimmy McCormack responded to a call made to the charity’s national cruelty helpline regarding welfare concerns about several pets being kept at the property.
Inspector McCormack discovered a serious animal overpopulation and overcrowding problem. Animals of various species were being bred and retained, resulting in numbers growing out of control. A total of 207 animals, comprising 25 dogs, 95 rabbits, 58 guinea pigs, 22 hamsters, four mice, one terrapin, one turtle, and one corn snake were removed from the Kildare property.
There were more than 25 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, including four puppies, living in the kitchen of the house. ISPCA inspectors said that the dogs appeared to be friendly and in good health, but the noise from their barking was “deafening” and “the environment was extremely stressful.” There were also hamsters, mice, a corn snake, a slider terrapin, and a musk turtle in the house.
In an outside shed, there were a large number of rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters confined in overcrowded rusty cages stacked on top of each other. Although basic food, bedding, and water were being provided, the conditions were described by ISPCA inspectors as “wholly inadequate.” The shed was dark with little natural light, and ventilation was poor. Several of the rabbits were sneezing, and some had runny eyes, while guinea pigs and rabbits were housed together, which is not recommended. In addition to the pet animals in the shed, wild mice were also living there and burrowing through the straw.
With the assistance of the Dublin SPCA, Cork SPCA, and other animal welfare charities, a “large-scale” rescue operation was mounted by the ISPCA. The people involved fully acknowledged to inspectors that the numbers of animals had gotten out of control and had become too much for them. They cooperated fully with the removal of the animals and complied with all instructions given by ISPCA inspectors.
Subsequent veterinary examinations found that several of the small animals had respiratory issues, and their nails were overgrown. One of the rabbits had to have feces caked on its back-end clipped away. Sadly, two of the rabbits had neurological issues and were euthanized on veterinary advice.
"It was a shock to see so many animals crammed into tiny spaces and cages that were not fit for purpose,” said ISPCA chief inspector Conor Dowling. “Most of the small animals lived their lives in a dark, dirty mouse-infested shed with insufficient room to hop around and exhibit natural behavior. The situation should never have been allowed to get so out of hand, but thankfully we were able to intervene before the physical health of the animals deteriorated further."
"Our priority is the welfare of the animals involved, but we also must be mindful of working with vulnerable people,” he continued. “We encourage members of the public to continue reporting any animal welfare concerns to our helpline.” Many of the rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters will be available for rehoming in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in adopting any of these animals can email [email protected] or visit the ISPCA website.
