St Enda's Park Open Day
Where: St Enda's Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
When: 29th April 2017 12noon - 3.00pm
The DSPCA have organised a fun filled day at St Enda's Park for the whole family to enjoy especially for your Doggies.
There will be:
- Free dog agility & ask the Trainer with the DSPCA King of Paws,
- Doggie Treats from Stuff for your Woof,
- Pooch Pampering products from EcoMutt
- Tasty treats from Brambles
- Microchipping for €15.00 ( You will need to bring ID and Proof of address) with the DSPCA Vetinerary Hospital
- There will also be fun games for the kids to play and lots more!!!
So why not come along and join us for some fun in the park.
Pets in the City 2017
Dublin City Council invites the pet lovers of Dublin to the fourth annual Pets in the City event. Supported by the DSPCA and King of Paws, Pets in the City will transform Smithfield Square into a pet paradise for one day only!
When: Sunday 14th May 2017
Where: Smithfield Square
Admission: Free!
Website: www.petsinthecity.ie
This free, family friendly event promises to be a great day out for animal lovers living in the city with a range of activities, stalls and entertainment. The DSPCA King of Paws Training Team will host a Dog Show and Dog Agility Workshops, which will invite members of the public to enter their own furry friends.
Pet lovers can expect a range of stalls offering great deals on all kinds of animal accessories, grooming products, toys and novelty items as well as the opportunity to avail of micro-chipping and pet health advice from the DSPCA. A reptile corner which features a wide range of exotic pets; as well as an animal farm and petting zoo for the whole family to enjoy.
For more information visit www.petsinthecity.ie
www.facebook.com/PetsInTheCitySmithfield
What is the law on micro-chipping dogs?
As from 31st March 2016, it is compulsory for all dogs in the Republic of Ireland to be micro-chipped.
As a dog owner, there are three things you need to know about the new legislation:
- Your dog must be micro-chipped and registered on a government approved database by 31st March 2016.
- You must have a certificate from a government approved database to prove that your dog is micro-chipped and registered on that database.
- You must keep your contact details up to date. Any changes of ownership or of contact details, such as address and phone numbers, must be notified to that database.
If you are buying, selling or transferring ownership of a dog, you will also need to know the following:
- From 1st September 2015 all puppies must be micro shipped and registered with a government approved database by the time they reach 12 weeks of age or before they are moved from their birth home.
- It is illegal to buy or take ownership of a puppy that is not micro-chipped and registered on a government approved database and that does not have a certificate from the database to prove this.
- You must inform a government approved database when you buy, sell, take ownership or transfer ownership of a dog.
If your dog is already micro-chipped, you still need to make sure your details are stored correctly on a government approved database and that you have a certificate to prove this.
New law on micro-chipping your dog
In the Republic of Ireland from 31st March 2016, it will be compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped.
As a dog owner, there are three things you need to know about the new legislation:
- Your dog must be microchipped and registered on a government approved database by 31st March 2016.
- You must have a certificate from a government approved database to prove that your dog is microchipped and registered on that database.
- You must keep your contact details up to date. Any changes of ownership or of contact details, such as address and phone numbers, must be notified to that database.
If you are buying, selling or transferring ownership of a dog, you will also need to know the following:
- From 1st September 2015 all puppies must be micro shipped and registered with a government approved database by the time they reach 12 weeks of age or before they are moved from their birth home.
- It is illegal to buy or take ownership of a puppy that is not microchipped and registered on a government approved database and that does not have a certificate from the database to prove this.
- You must inform a government approved database when you buy, sell, take ownership or transfer ownership of a dog.
If your dog is already microchipped, you still need to make sure your details are stored correctly on a government approved database and that you have a certificate to prove this.
Hounds for Love: Yes Equality
Baxter insisted we came with him to today's Hounds for Love: Yes Equality bank holiday stroll in support of marriage equality at Sandymount Strand today.
A big thanks to the kind man who gave Baxter his bandana. And thanks to Seamus Dooley, who invited us along!
DSPCA promote responsible dog ownership
Simon Harris TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today, signed an agreement with the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) underpinning responsible dog ownership and guidelines at National Historic Properties in the greater Dublin area.
The Office of Public Works is responsible for thirty three historic properties countrywide and its role is to protect, manage and present these important buildings and landscapes for current and future generations. These sites welcome over 15 million visitors a year. The OPW also recognises, along with the DSPCA, that people benefit from companionship and assistance provided by dogs. However, there are specific areas and seasons when exclusions or restrictions may apply for allowing dogs on sites.
The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) was established in 1840 and is Ireland's largest animal welfare organisation.
The joint agreement outlines various principles such as acknowledging the importance of the amenities for all users; ensuring clear and consistent information at all sites and the promotion of responsible dog ownership through activities and education.
Speaking at today's event in St. Stephen's Green Park, Minister Harris commented "We all know that owning and walking dogs is an activity that benefits the physical and mental well-being of dogs and their owners. My Office, the Office of Public Works, is particularly keen on welcoming all visitors to our wonderful sites and ensuring that there is clear and consistent information on areas and facilities that are well-suited to the needs of dogs and their owners. We also recognise that other visitors may not be as comfortable around dogs and certain restrictions such as on-lead rules or exclusions will apply in those instances".
Brian Gillen, Chief Executive of the DSPCA also said “We very much welcome this collaboration with OPW in encouraging responsible dog ownership on their sites. DSPCA appreciate that access to public amenities is important for dog owners. We look forward to working with the OPW to improve onsite facilities and to provide a positive framework for engagement with owners. Our ‘King of paws’ academy will provide training classes to help dog owners and dogs enjoy the access to the OPW sites.”
Minister Harris added "I welcome the agreement and joint promotion of these principles with the DSPCA and I look forward to the many initiatives organised with them such as the DSPCA’s 'King of Paws' event in Arbour Hill on Saturday 7 March. I have no doubt that this joint partnership approach will lead to a greater reciprocal understanding by our visitors when enjoying the wonderful parks and gardens in the months ahead".
Guide Dogs are permitted in all areas.
Details of the sites covered by these Guidelines are as follows:
- St Stephen's Green
- Iveagh Gardens
- National War Memorial Gardens
- Grangegorman Military Cemetery
- Arbour Hill Cemetery
- Phoenix Park
- Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- National Botanic Gardens
- St Enda's Park
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Garden of Remembrance
- Castletown House
The Code of Conduct for Dog Owners at National Historic Properties in the Dublin region can be found at www.heritageireland.ie and www.phoenixpark.ie
The lambing season approaches, so dog owners need to be vigilant
With lambing season approaching, it is time for us as dog owners to be vigilant and not let our pets near farms.
With spring just around the corner, here at Petfriendly Ireland we are gearing up for a year of new adventures and planning some great dog friendly walks around the country.
However, with spring also comes lambing season, which means it is also time for us to be vigilant when out walking with with our dogs in the countryside.
All dogs, from family pets to working dogs, can potentially cause a lot of distress and damage if they are not kept under control. At this time of year, sheep flocks have a lot of heavily pregnant ewes, many of which will start lambing in the coming weeks and months.
Sheep worrying by dogs can be a massive concern at this time of year. Even seemingly harmless family pets can cause serious damage if they turn on a flock of sheep.
A dog attack on a sheep flock is extremely stressful and can inflict savage injuries, often fatal. Aside from the economic losses for the farmer, for which dog owners can be held liable, the welfare implications for the flock can be very severe and long-lasting. Sheep never recover fully from a dog attack and can suffer ongoing difficulties, including reproduction problems and increased nervousness.
With up to 2.5 million lambs on 30,000 sheep farms across the country expected to be born by the end of the lambing season this year, it's important that we don't let our dogs cause any unnecessary stress for the sheep.
So, it's important that we keep the safety of the sheep flocks in mind and follow two simple rules when walking with our dogs near farmland:
- keep to the footpaths
- keep our dogs on leads at all times
Dog Friendly Cork - A Fantastic Initiative
Dog Friendly Cork is a fantastic initiative, with a facebook page for dog-lovers living in or visiting Cork who are looking to share dog-friendly tips and information.
The Dog Friendly Cork Facebook page aims to find dog-friendly facilities, services and events at which dogs are welcome, and to share information and tips on dog-friendly accommodation, parks, walks, beaches, shops, restaurants; in fact, anything pet-friendly really.
The Dog Friendly Cork Facebook page also lists dog-friendly social events, such as the Dog Walking Club, and a campaign for a dedicated dog park in Cork.
We're certainly looking forward to our next visit to Cork with Baxter.
See ‘Dog Friendly Cork’ on Facebook for a full list of pet friendly information.
There’s also a really interesting article on Dog Friendly Cork in the Irish Examiner http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/paws-for-thought-with-dog-friendly-cork-264532.html
Code of Conduct for dog owners visiting Dublin's parks and gardens
The OPW have issued a Code of Conduct for all dog owners visiting national historic properties in Dublin with their dogs.
The Code of Conduct for Dog Owners identifies specific areas within the OPW's twelve parks and gardens in Dublin where dogs are not permitted or must be kept on a lead. The parks and gardens included are St Stephen's Green, Iveagh Gardens, National War Memorial Gardens, Grangegorman Military Cemetary, Arbour Hill Cemetary, Pheonix Park, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, National Botanic Gardens, St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham Castle, Garden of Remembrance and Castletown House.
For full details and to download a PDF copy of the OPW's Code of Conduct for Dog Owners, please click here
Meet the dog lover behind Dublin's Cheeky Dog Bakery
Recently at a DSPCA Doggie Day Out in St Enda's Park in Rathfarnham, Baxter and I came across a yummy new service just for dogs. Though we all know that cakes and sweets are not healthy for our dogs, it is great to see a new way of providing tasty treats for pooches.
Cheeky Dog Bakery began two years ago after dog lover Jenny McCarthy struggled to find a birthday cake to celebrate her dachshund Oscar's first birthday. Unable to find one, she decided to make her own. Much to Oscar's delight!
Inspired by her own attempt a baking a birthday cake for Oscar, she spent a year researching and testing recipes and acquiring all the necessary skills to set up her own dog bakery.
Jenny runs the successful Cheeky Dog Bakery online, selling everything from donuts to birthday cakes for dogs.
All her dog treats are hand made with dog friendly ingredients using only natural human grade organic ingredients, including carob, as dogs should never eat chocolate.
Jenny’s dog treats include a Birthday gift box, which contains a large two-tier cake cookie, a large Happy Birthday bone with paw and heart detail, two gift cookies with bow detail, 12 peanut butter Mini Bites and two delicious Puppermint Donuts in vanilla and carob - all for €20.
If you would like to order any cakes, have a special request or special doggy dietary requirements, Jenny can also tailor make special goodies with a little help from Oscar of course!
You can check out all her canine goodies at www.cheekydogbakery.com