National Love Your Pet Day: Dog's Trust urges people to be dog ready
Regan Kelly
For many of us, our furry little companions are more than just friends; they are important members of our families.
This Friday (February 19) is National Love Your Pet Day, where people around the world take a moment to give their pets an extra bit of love, whether that be a big hug or a treat.
When it comes to dogs, here in Ireland, we have a deep cultural, social and working partnership with man's best friend.
Canines have been associated with Irish folklore and mythology, where they appear regularly.
From the legendary hounds of Bran and Sceólang, who are associated with the famous warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill, to Julius Caesar, who noted that the Celts in Ireland used war dogs, while regularly seeing dogs working, guarding homes, and hunting.
Even our famous warrior Cú Chulainn is associated with his ferocious hound. How could we forget the story of the hound, sliotar and hurley?
In the modern day, not much has changed; we still take pride in the love we have for canines.
This is reflected in our high dog ownership rates, with around 50% of Irish households owning dogs. The total number of dogs in the country is around 500,000.
These dogs are not only important for companionship, but working dogs are extremely important in Irish society, with assistance dogs aiding many people in Ireland.
One of Ireland’s major industries is farming, and dogs remain a hugely important tool in herding and guarding livestock.
The trusty Border Collie is used as a cattle and sheep herding dog, while other breeds, such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers, are utilised as guard dogs.
These animals are so important to us, and all they need is love, warmth and safety. Unfortunately, not every dog gets to experience this.
In fact, dogs are being mistreated at a rising rate across the country. In 2024, the ISPCA saw a 75% increase in files submitted to it for potential criminal prosecution.
Some of these cases are horrific, and the stories are sadly very common. Puppy farms have also been on the rise, and these are often torturous conditions for the dogs.
In a recent year, the ISPCA uncovered 12 puppy farms in the first six months, where many dogs were found in terrible conditions.
Sadly, this is becoming common, with charities and organisations around the country feeling the pressure from a huge surge in dogs being handed in.
One such organisation is Dogs Trust Ireland, which aims to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs where possible.
We spoke with Communications Manager Paulina Padlo, who outlined a stark reality of dogs being surrendered to them.
Paulina said, “We are seeing a bit of a worrying trend at the moment because in January alone, we received over 300 requests from owners looking to give up their dogs.
“We believe that some of these dogs that we are being contacted with were bought for Christmas, and what we're seeing now is a 26% increase in terms of surrender requests compared to the same time last year.”
She outlined Dogs Trust’s new eagerness to help people make the right decision when it comes to getting a dog, helping them figure out if they are truly ready for this big commitment.
She said: “We are urging all future dog owners to make sure they are truly dog-ready before welcoming a dog into their lives. We have launched our online Are You Dog Ready quiz.
“This aims to inform dog owners about the daily tasks that come with dog ownership, while asking them about their own lifestyle to make sure that they have the time and funds to take on a dog.”
Paulina spoke about this year's increase in dogs being surrendered, saying: “We see people handing dogs back every year, and it's difficult to establish whether it is a trend or not because we didn't have the same problem last year.
“Of course, we did see some dogs being returned, but it was only 238 requests over last year; it's still significant, but not as high as this year.”
She gave her own take on what she thinks is causing the recent surge in people aiming to rehome their pets with Dogs Trust.
“I think people get very excited about dog ownership, thinking about all of the joy that dogs bring into our lives. Although they can sometimes forget about the long-term commitment that comes with having a dog.
“Some of the key reasons people are giving up their dogs are simply not enough time to care for them.
“Along with this, though, last year 27% of dog owners who contacted us did so because they couldn't deal with unwanted behaviours.”
Paulina concluded, “One of the biggest reasons we see is through accommodation challenges. Often, people need to move out of their homes, and their new landlord doesn't allow pets, so they have no choice but to give the dog up.”
This National Love Your Pet Day, remember to give your furry friend lots of love and treats. Although we should always spare a thought for those dogs who are the unluckiest, if you are considering getting a dog, always consider if it is a commitment that you can take on.