About Us
What We Do
Inspectorate Service
The ISPCA Inspectors are at the forefront of animal welfare in Ireland. They respond to allegations of cruelty, neglect and abuse and also to aid sick and injured animals. In the vast majority of cases, our animal welfare officers find a solution to most problems by working with the owners of the animal(s) involved. Unfortunately however, this is not always the case and on occasion instances of cruelty, neglect or abuse are uncovered.The ISPCA Inspectorate directly interacts with thousands of animals throughout the year, and where necessary competently follow prosecutions. The increased powers afforded to the ISPCA’s Inspectors pursuant to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA) uniquely position us to be at the forefront of preventing cruelty to animals in Ireland.
ISPCA Animal Centres
The ISPCA’s three animal rescue and rehabilitation Centres support the ISPCA Inspectorate and our affiliated members with the rescue, rehabilitation and responsible re-homing of cruelly treated, neglected and abused animals.
The ISPCA National Animal Centre, Derryglogher, based in Keenagh, Co Longford opened in 2002 and is accessible to our Inspectors from across Ireland. The Centre is designed to provide veterinary care and rehabilitation to all animals subjected to cruelty or neglect and to return them to a state which enables them to be responsibly re-homed. The National Animal Centre can house over a 100 animals in need at any one time.
The ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre is located in Mallow, Co Cork. Following the huge increase in cruelty calls involving horses and ponies, the decision was taken to develop a centre for the rescue and rehabilitation of all equines. Staff at the Equine Centre in Cork, care for many equines from the south of the country, and also collaborate closely with the equine unit in Longford.
The ISPCA Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre, based in Ramelton, Co Donegal opened in 2018. The state-of-the-art facilities include an animal treatment room, rooms for small animals, large animals, and aquatic wildlife such a seals, as well as stables, kennels and a cattery. All animals and species are welcome.
The Cork, Donegal and Longford Centres all aid the Inspectorate and support the ISPCA’s 17 Member Societies and other animal welfare organisations throughout Ireland.
Education
Education is paramount to furthering the ISPCA’s objectives in preventing cruelty and promoting kindness to animals. The ISPCA believes that raising people’s awareness is the best insurance against cruelty to animals in the future. The ISPCA aims to prevent cruelty, neglect and abuse to all animals and to promote compassion for the animals that cannot speak for themselves.
School visits to the ISPCA National Animal Centre are an integral part of our education programme, children are the key to the future of animal welfare in Ireland.
ISPCA work experience programmes have provided many opportunities for students in different areas such as office work and animal care.
Affiliated Members
The ISPCA is the umbrella organisation for 17 affiliated animal welfare organisations and as such provides support to a dedicated and committed core of hard working volunteers. ISPCA affiliated members carry out vital work in many areas of animal welfare on a voluntary basis. Collectively the ISPCA affiliated members rescue, rehome, and treat thousands of animals across Ireland. Click here to find an affiliated society near you.
ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline
A National Animal Cruelty Helpline operated by the ISPCA deals with many thousands of calls regarding animal welfare. The public have become more aware of animal welfare, and intolerant of what they perceive to be cruelty or neglect. Consequently, the volume of calls to the ISPCA continues to increase, stretching our services beyond measure. If you believe an animal is in distress, please call 1890 515515 Monday to Friday 9-5pm in the strictest of confidence, or you may fill in a confidential online complaint form. In cases of an emergency, please contact your local Gardaí after these hours.
Services for Animals and People
The ISPCA receives tens of thousands of queries each year from members of public needing help and advice about animals; we provide a wide range of advice and information through our newsletters, digital platform and events.
The ISPCA actively supports and provides a limited service for Outreach programmes for people that have intellectual difficulties. The ISPCA supports physical and therapeutic programmes for the elderly and liaises with social workers and family in helping to facilitate the care of pets.
Legislation
Throughout Irish history our founding members have campaigned and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of animals that are suffering across Ireland and have had many successes. The ISPCA continues to actively campaign both nationally and internationally against live export of horses for slaughter, the plight of Circus Animals, Exotic Animal legislation, Stray and unwanted dog situation within Ireland, Irish Greyhound Industry, Whaling, Bullfighting, Wild birds for pet trade, Seal Hunting, Against live cattle exports to Middle East, Intensive Dog Breeding Establishment Bill, Animal Health and Welfare Bill, Dangerous Wild Animals, Stray and Feral cat situation within Ireland to name a few.
The ISPCA pursue our objectives across Europe with membership of both the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) and the EU Dog & Cat Alliance.
After joining Eurogroup for Animals in 2016, the ISPCA has partnered with them on a number of European campaigns as well. You can find out more information about our current campaigns here
Registered Charity Number 20008734, Registered Company Number 460571, CHY 5619
ISPCA Head Office, National Animal Centre, Derryglogher, Keenagh, Co. Longford, Ireland
T: 00 353 43 332 5035 | E: info@ispca.ie
