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17 Best Dog Rescues In Ireland (Updated 2023 Guide)

Best Dog Rescues In Ireland

The luck of the Irish means good fortune…

How about you give out good fortune to some stray madra.  

Don’t know where to start?

I got you…

Keep reading to discover:

  • Irish Greyhound situation.
  • 17 best dog rescues in Ireland. 
  • Places that accept pet surrenders.
  • And much, much, more…

17 best dog rescues in Ireland


#1: DSPCA

First, let’s start with the largest and oldest animal welfare organization in Ireland. 

They have a very wide coverage that a team of animal inspectors and a call center keep track of the rescue alerts.

Their focus is on rescuing injured and mistreated animals. 

After they rescue them, they undergo rehabilitation and eventually rehoming. 

This is where you contribute, they’re a lot of animals that need new homes. 

They have been through a lot, some have even lost hope. 

But you can give it back to them if you’re up for the challenge. 

Websitehttp://www.dspca.ie/
AddressDSPCA Campus, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, D16 F9C4
Phone01 499 4700
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram

#2: Dogs Trust Ireland

All they want to do is improve dog welfare in Ireland. 

And to do this successfully, they help not only the dogs but the dog owners as well. 

More importantly, the rescue prioritizes helping vulnerable dogs. 

And they also help those who had been surrendered. 

As of the moment of writing, they have 116 dogs looking for new homes. 

You can lower this number, here’s how.

Websitehttp://www.dogstrust.ie/
AddressAshbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
Phone01 8791000
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram

#3: Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary

To most people, a limerick is a humorous short poem…

But LAWS is serious about being a sanctuary for homeless animals. 

All animals under their care stay with them until they find their forever homes. 

One of their focus is saving the Irish Greyhounds. 

This dog breed is being exploited for racing and betting purposes.  

Animal welfare activists in Ireland have been protesting against Greyhound Racing. 

They want the public to realize that greyhounds are more than just racing machines.

They can be a loving addition to your family. 

To help their cause, you can donate or give one of their animals a forever home

Reading Tip: Adopting A Rescue Dog: The First 7 Days [Checklist]

Websitehttp://www.limerickanimalwelfare.ie/
AddressMoorestown, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick
Phone063 91110 / 087 6371044
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Facebook

#4: ISPCA

ISPCA’s goal is to prevent animal cruelty and stop animal suffering. 

To do this they use animal inspectors to look into reports of animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect.  

Learn more about their operation, by watching this video: 

They also have several animals from the shelter that are in need of new homes. 

Take look at them here. 

Can you even resist those cute faces?

Websitehttp://www.ispca.ie/
AddressKeenagh, Co. Longford, Ireland
Phone043 33 25035
Office HoursWednesday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 4 PM
Monday- Tuesday: Closed
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram

#5: ASH Animal Rescue

Their furry residents may have different backgrounds.  

But they all share the same desire of finding a new home. 

You can help them out.

ASH  has a sub-group in their shelter which is called the “permanent residents”. 

These are animals that aren’t enlisted for rehoming anymore.

Instead, they are absorbed by ASH and considered to be a permanent family member.

Websitehttp://www.ispca.ie/
AddressCornan East Kiltegan, Rathdangan Co.Wicklow Ireland
Phone059 647 3396
Office HoursSaturday – Thursday: 2 PM – 5 PM
Friday: Closed
Social Media Accounts:Youtube, Facebook

#6: MADRA – Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption

All dogs from this rescue are already micro-chipped and vaccinated.  

All that’s left is for them to have a new home. 

They are ready to embark on a new journey.  

Away from those dark days of neglect or abuse, they had experienced in the past. 

You can help them take the first step. 

Websitehttp://www.madra.ie/
AddressFURBO Charity Shop & Office, Furbo, Co. Galway, H91 XY97
Phone+353 91 577 813
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Tiktok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

#7: Dogs Aid Animal Sanctuary

This rescue rehomes unwanted and helpless cats and dogs. 

As much as possible, they try to give the animals under their care a normal life while staying with them. 

Those that aren’t suited for rehoming anymore are absorbed by Dogs Aid.  

They spend the rest of their lives as the sanctuary’s permanent pets. 

But there are still a lot of animals in the shelter hoping to find a loving home. 

You can take a look at them here

Websitehttp://dogsaid.ie/
AddressMeakstown, Dublin 11, D11 E674, Ireland
Phone0872944310
Office HoursWednesday – Monday: 1 PM – 4 PM
Tuesday: closed
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

#8: Wicklow SPCA

Wicklow SPCA

Since it has been serving the community for over a century. 

WSPCA is considered an integral part of the Wicklow community. 

It runs one of Ireland’s largest homes for unwanted animals. 

Here they rehabilitate and prepare these animals for re-homing.  

Over the years, the shelter has developed an adoption process specifically tailored for each type of animal. 

This will ensure that both the rescue animals and their potential new family are perfectly suited for each other. ‘

Websitehttp://www.wicklowspca.org/
AddressSharpeshill Sanctuary, Ballygannon Mor, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, A67 YK81
Phone0404-44783
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram

#9: Dogs in Distress – Rescue Dogs for Adoption

All the dogs DID rescues are put into temporary/foster homes. 

This is beneficial in assessing the type of family and homes their dogs are suited for. 

They want to rescue more dogs and give them a chance to have a new home. 

But to do so, they need your help. 

They can rescue more if more people are willing to adopt or foster the dogs under their care. 

Editor’s Pick: 13 Mistakes When Adopting A Rescue Dog (Guide)

Websitehttps://dogsindistress.org/
AddressN/A
PhoneN/A
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Facebook

#10: North Wexford SPCA

Even though their operation heavily relies on their dedicated volunteers. 

They were still able to put hundreds of cats and dogs a second chance at life. 

Aside from rehoming, they also deal with animal cruelty reports. 

They have animal inspectors checking incidents of animal abuse or neglect. 

Websitehttps://dogsindistress.org/
AddressArklow Road, Clonatin Lower, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Y25 DR50, Ireland
Phone+353 87 639 2531
Office HoursMonday – Saturday: 9 AM – 7:30 PM
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, LinkedIn

#11: Husky Rescue Ireland

HRI deals with huskies and Akitas in Ireland suffering from abuse and neglect. 

The Fidos they rescue are given quality medical care and training as part of their rehabilitation. 

Scroll through these cute pictures of their adoptable dogs.

And see if you can resist adopting one of them. 

Websitehttps://www.huskyrescueireland.ie/
AddressCoolnacritta, Cullahill, Rathdowney, Co. Laois, R32 E4XN
Phone+353(0)852473805
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Facebook, Instagram

#12: PAWS Animal Rescue

PAWS Animal Rescue

PAWS is an Irish charity organization, but their rescue efforts have reached overseas. 

Their team includes local vet surgeons and international adoption groups. 

This allows them to rescue hundreds of animals annually. 

They rescue the homeless and the abandoned, especially dogs in high-kill pounds. 

More than 80 dogs under their care are looking for a new family. 

You can be the one they’re looking for. 

Websitehttps://www.huskyrescueireland.ie/
AddressMullinahone, County Tipperary, Ireland E41 R652
Phone+353 52 9153507
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram

#13: Deise Animal Sanctuary

The pandemic has affected a lot of people.  

As a result, some families are struggling to keep their pets. 

DAS provides shelter to these animals, including those that are considered exotic. 

They also rescue abused or neglected animals such as sighthounds.

Unlike other rescue places, they don’t have a fixed adoption fee.  

But they need and greatly appreciate a donation after a successful adoption. 

Websitehttps://deiseanimalsanctuary.ie/
AddressKnocknaree, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, E91 N153
Phone+353 87 311 9509
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Youtube, Facebook, Instagram

#14: DAR Animal Rescue

Every day animals seeking shelter would arrive at their doorstep. 

And DAR Animal Rescue is always ready and willing to help. 

They use all the platforms available to find loving homes for the poaches under their care. 

What’s even more amazing is that their rescue is fully run by volunteers. 

You can support them by fostering or adopting. 

Read Next: 17 Critical Tips To Take Care Of A Rescue Dog (Guide)

Websitehttp://www.dar.ie/
AddressBellescourt, Scholes Lane, Drogheda, Co Louth
Phone041 983 2418
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Youtube, Facebook, Instagram

#15: Kildare Animal Foundation

Kildare is known as the equine county of Ireland.  

Home to the country’s beautiful horses. 

But let’s shift the spotlight to a more marginalized group.

Let’s see those that are considered “the most unwanted” animals. 

They are the ones KAF is helping.

They rehabilitate these animals to them ready for rehoming. 

Their rehabilitation is not only physical. They also prepare the animals’ hearts and minds. 

Especially those who have suffered trauma from the years of abuse they’ve experienced. 

And when they’re ready, they will wait for their furever family that will love them the way they deserve. 

Websitehttps://animalfoundation.ie/
AddressLough Andy’s House, South Green Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare. R51 YE00
Phone045 522 929
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Facebook

#16: Sera Husky & Animal Rescue

This rescue is comparably smaller and younger than the other rescues from this list.  

Despite that, they have already made a good reputation of serving dogs in need. 

They mostly cater to huskies and other wolf-type dog breeds.  

But they also extend a helping hand to other animals like cats, reptiles, and birds. 

They promise not to turn any animal away. 

Starting rescues like this need a lot of support from the community to keep them going. 

Here are some ways to cheer them on. 

Websitehttp://www.serahuskyrescue.com/
AddressSandville, Listowel, Co. Kerry, V31 WE16
Phone087 351 2719
Office HoursAnytime
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

#17: Louth SPCA

Louth is known for being the smallest county of Ireland.  

But even the “wee county” has a lot of animals needing help. 

Thankfully, there is Louth SPCA that will do the job.

They rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals that are maltreated, abandoned or surrendered. 

Their team helps the animals recover and find happiness with a new loving family. 

Websitehttps://www.louthspca.ie/
AddressDromiskin, Co. Louth, Eircode A91 CP82
Phone042 933 5045
Office HoursN/A
Social Media Accounts:Twitter, Facebook, Instagram