31 August 2003: RTE’s “Lyrics Board” presenter and “Pop Stars” judge Lynda Martin were joined by Stars from RTE’s “Fair City” at this years Kildare Animal Foundation’s Open day on Sunday 31 August.
Lynda Martin has been involved in the fight to improve animal welfare for the last number of years working with the D.S.P.C.A., and became involved with the Kildare Animal Foundation three years ago when the foundation helped find a home for a dog, which Lynda had found difficult to re-home herself, and since then has become the foundations Patron.
The Open day not only enabled people to see the good work which is being done at the centre, but also provided a wonderful days outing for all the family with activities such as Reiki healing and Indian head massage, tarot card readings, stalls, bric-a-brac and bouncy castles included in the days entertainment line-up. The Foundation also had a Veterinary Surgeon from the Grey Abbey Veterinary Clinic in Kildare available to offer advise to animal owners on a wide range of issues on the day.
Geraldine O'Hanlon, founder of the KAF, said that the “the foundation was set up to provide a safe haven for abused and neglected animals in the Kildare area”, but over the last number of years the problem of abandoned animals has gravely increased. She said the horrific story of a pregnant dog, who later lost her puppies after she was thrown over the gate of the shelter by callous owners before driving away.
Geraldine explained that owners might think that, by abandoning the animals anonymously near the shelter, which has a strict “no kill policy”, that “they” may feel a little better about abandoning the animal, but Geraldine said that this is only leading to an ever increasing number of animals being injured outside the gates, and appealed to owners who may be thinking of abandoning animals, to contact the Foundation or Pet Proud in Newbridge directly, where arrangements can be made for them. She added that no judgement would be made against owners who wanted to re-home an animal for whatever reason but if was heartless to abandon them on the side of the road.
Geraldine also said that thanks to Crofter’s Security who provided a free CCTV security system, the Foundation now had round the clock security, and said that this was a wonderful relief as it would serve a dual purpose, in that, it would provide security for the animals in the shelter which has had several break-ins over the last number of years and would also help them identify heartless owners who were dumping dogs in the vanity.
For further information about how get involved or if you would like to make a donation contact Pet Proud in Newbridge, the Foundation on 045-446995 or see www.animalfoundation.net
