The sad story of Jade's puppies causes Dogs Trust to conduct research on vaccination rates
Research conducted by Dogs Trust Ireland has found that one-third of dogs across the country have not received their annual vaccinations.
The charity conducted this research after noting multiple dogs coming into their care and getting sick, and sadly, some have passed away from completely preventable diseases since 2024.
Dogs Trust takes hundreds of dogs, and a large number of these dogs are unvaccinated, or their vaccination information cannot be established.
Many Veterinary professionals, as well as Dogs Trust, advise dog owners that puppies should be vaccinated at six weeks old and should receive another dose four weeks later.
After these initial vaccinations, it is recommended that they receive an annual booster. This will depend on the individual dog, but the vet will advise the next steps.
Dogs Trust gave an account of a sad case involving a two-year-old crossbreed called Jade, who arrived into their car with her eight puppies, just two days old.
They discovered that Jade’s vaccination history was unclear, and soon after, Jade as well as her puppies tested positive for parvovirus.
Vets managed to save Jade and one of her puppies, but the rest of the puppies sadly could not be saved.
The puppy that survived is named Bruce, and thankfully, he is thriving in his forever home.
Niamh Curran-Kelly, Veterinary and Welfare Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, said: “It is incredibly upsetting to see so many dogs coming into our care and getting sick, and in some terrible cases passing away, all because they have missed out on vital vaccinations.
“We’re urging dog owners to ensure that their dogs have received their annual booster shots, or to contact their vet if they are unsure what their dog needs.
“With longer evenings, and hopefully nicer spring weather on the horizon, people and their dogs are likely to be out and about and coming into more contact, so now is the perfect time to make sure your dog is properly protected.”