'A dog is not just for Christmas' - Martin Heydon

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In a timely seasonal intervention, Agriculture Minister of State Martin Heydon has urged people to think carefully before acquiring a dog over Christmas, writes Brian Byrne.

Speaking in the Seanad, the minister emphasised the message that 'a dog is for life and not just for Christmas'. "We must drive home that message now at this time of the year. Everybody who is contemplating getting a family pet this Christmas should bear that in mind."

Saying that imparting knowledge on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership can help to reduce the number of dogs which are abandoned, surrendered or need to be re-homed, he noted that the most recent provision of animal welfare funding had seen a record allocation of €3.7m to 98 organisations of which €2.7m was awarded to 68 organisations dealing with the welfare and rehoming of dogs. 

“Responsible pet ownership should be on everyone’s Christmas list,” Minister Heydon concluded.

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