Proposed funding cut for Mayo animal welfare group resisted

A PROPOSAL to reduce council funding to the North West SPCA next year has been opposed.

The funding allocations proposed by Mayo County Council to various animal welfare groups will come before the authority's monthly meeting next Tuesday for approval.

Proposed allocations include: Furry Friends Animal Rescue and Sanctuary €2,000; Mayo SPCA €3,000; Ainmhithe Animal Rescue €3,300; Hungry Horse Outside €3,700; Involve €3,900; Madra €7,800; and North West SPCA €10,800.

They were noted at a meeting of the council's environment committee yesterday (Thursday) where Councillor Donna Sheridan said she was 'unhappy' that the North West SPCA were having their funding cut. The other groups received small increases.

A proposal last year to also reduce the group's funding was rejected by members, she said, and she was encouraging her colleagues to do so again this year.

North West SPCA do huge work in the county, Councillor Sheridan explained, and were always there to give advice and help, and were one of the biggest organisations.

Director of services John Condon said when councillors adopted the budget for next year the funding available was reduced by €5,000 - from €40,000 to €35,000.

He pointed out that North West SPCA's level of activity had fallen. In 2019 they took in 446 dogs. In 2020 that dropped to 201 dogs.

They did not have premises, being comprised of a network of individuals. They were still getting the biggest allocation.

In terms of dealing with the council, Madra dealt with 81 dogs for the authority. The figure for North West SPCA was one dog.

Mr. Condon also pointed to the big reduction in dogs being euthanised since they started dealing with Madra as they are being rehomed.

The matter will be debated further when it comes before the full council meeting when it meets next Tuesday afternoon.

Full details of the allocations are available on the council's website.