Passionate About Animals Since 1840
What We Do
The DSPCA is a registered charity, established in 1840, to prevent cruelty to animals and is now Ireland’s largest animal welfare organisation. We exist uniquely to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome sick, injured and cruelly treated animals.
Our Mission
To promote and protect the welfare of all animals
Our Vision
Is a country where all animals, domestic or wild, are treated with compassion and respect
Our Values
- Animals and their welfare are at the heart of everything we do.
- We value and respect our staff, volunteers and supporters.
- We promote and welcome social inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
- We are committed to making it socially unacceptable to mistreat an animal.
- We advocate continuously to strengthen the law on animal welfare
- We work towards a sustainable animal population through our range of neutering programmes.
- We act ethically, transparently and adhere to the highest level of corporate governance.
Rescue
Rehabilitate
Rehome
The DSPCA rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes over 2,500 animals each year through our services in the community. Our team of animal welfare inspectors and call-centre receive thousands of calls annually from members of the public alerting us to situations of animals that need our assistance. We help all animals both domestic and wildlife.
Our Vet Team work 7 days a week providing critical care, carrying out lifesaving surgeries and perform over 3000 neuter/spay operations through our programmes each year. They also provide ongoing care and veterinary support to over 300 animals in our Foster Programme.
We work closely with UCD Veterinary School where students get to experience Shelter Medicine and gain a valuable insight into the work we do. UCD also assist with our Equine and Neuter Programmes
Learn MoreRescue
Neutering
Spaying/neutering your pet is part of being a responsible pet owner and is important for you, your family and your community.
These routine medical procedures not only reduce the number of unwanted animals who enter shelters all over the country, they may also prevent medical and behavioural problems from developing in your pet allowing them to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.
Benefits of spaying or neutering pets:
- Testicular cancer is common in young male dogs and statistic show up to 27% of dogs will develop it, neutering your male dog will reduce this risk.
- Can reduce frustrations and anti-social behaviour when you are out walking your dog or allowing them socialise in dog parks.
- More likely to get into altercations with other dogs when un-neutered.
- Un-neutered dogs are more likely to stray and roam .
- Most daycare or boarding facilities will not allow un-neutered pets.
- Can prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the number of homeless stray and feral cat populations.
Mobile Vet Clinic
The DSPCA mobile veterinary clinic offers an affordable veterinary service to low-income communities, people in receipt of Social Welfare Payments and to those who are struggling financially to take care of their pets medical needs. The service is provided 3 nights a week to various locations around Dublin.
Find Out MoreEducation
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
The DSPCA Education Department have put together a series of material which can be downloaded or viewed from the website. As we cannot come and visit groups and the Shelter is closed for tours we are focusing more on Virtual Education. We can work with all ages of children and students and are happy to create an age/ability appropriate session tailored to your group’s interests.
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SCHOOL TALKS
DSPCA education talks can work with all ages of children and students and are happy to create an age/ability appropriate session tailored to your group’s interests.
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SHELTER TOURS
Learning about animals can be fun and rewarding. Groups will get to see up close the work of the DSPCA and get to meet some of the many animals in our care.
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WORK EXPERIENCE
All places for Work Experience/Community Service 2020/2021 are reserved for students who are existing Junior Members of the DSPCA.
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KIDS CAMPS
The DSPCA runs a number of one day or week long camps for children ranging between the ages of 6-12.
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The Shelter
The DSPCA resides on a 32 acre site based at the foothills of the Dublin mountains on the Mount Venus Road in Rathfarnham. The areas on public view include the dog and cat rehoming centres, stables, small animal areas, pig enclosure and our goat and fowl runs.
Contact Us2019
2519
Animals
Rehomed
2627
Animals
Rescued
4168
Dogs
Trained
121000
Children
Educated
1967
Animals
Treated
3110
Animals
Neutered
2019
2519
Animals
Rehomed
2627
Animals
Rescued
4168
Dogs
Trained
121000
Children
Educated
1967
Animals
Treated