Sadly though, the reality is that each animal costs the shelter quite a bit, from veterinary care, to good quality food and heat. Which they all deserve. Some animals may need to stay here several weeks or even longer while they recover or while waiting for the right home to come along.

The love and nursing care we give them is entirely free, but we have ourselves to find the money for the rest.

Accordingly we have introduced the following set donation in respect of re: homing.

We regret very much finding it necessary to introduce this charge and we hope it will not affect in anyway those thinking of offering a home to any of our lovely animals. All revenue received will be paid directly off our veterinary accounts.

This fee is non returnable.

Franco was found lying on a roadside one evening (last winter) with not a house in sight. Unable to move due to crippling arthritis and frozen to the bone he had to be put on to a stretcher and was taken straight to the vets. The pressure sores on his elbows were a clear indication he lived his entire life outdoors. A few days of rest and TLC and he soon started on the road to getting better. The cats used to lie into him for their siesta. He now lives in Dublin with a lovely couple who are great supporters of ours having rescued several animals from us in the past. Franco could not have found a better retirement home.

Here is what Franco’s new owners had to say -

We felt quite sure that our household of two dogs (Grainne and Sheeba) and three cats (Molly, Yoda and Buzzy) completed our family nicely until we got the spring newsletter and saw the photo of Franco.

He was exactly what we hoped and expected when we visited for the first time – our only concern being how we would get him into the car and out of it again to bring him home. Franco was a model gentleman with all our animals from the moment he arrived. They accepted him readily too and very quickly he and Grainne took to often squeezing into the same bed together.

Franco’s health is thankfully holding up well also. He weighed 50.45kg when he arrived but thanks to a special obesity diet that he is now on (and seems to enjoy!) he is weighing in at 44kg. He has a little way to go yet but four short walks a day are hopefully helping that along nicely. He is also on arthritis medication and cod liver oil so hopefully they will help to keep his aches and pains at bay.

Franco truly is a wonderful part of our family. Even though he has only been with us for a few months it honestly feels like he has been here forever. He is a gentle soul who loves unconditionally and gives us so much. He gets up before us and is waiting, tail wagging on the hall mat at the bottom of the stairs at 7am every morning. He wrinkles his eyes up with excitement (we’re convinced it’s a smile) and jogs into the kitchen in anticipation of his cuddles and breakfast (in that order!) and after a short jaunt around the garden happily returns to bed for a snooze until his next excursion of the day. Franco has a cheeky (and most endearing!) way of making sure his bedtime routine is just so – he adores his post 9pm rubs and if we are remiss enough to stop for a few minutes we hear a gentle grumble building deep in his throat followed by an ‘excuse me, I’m here’ bark to get our attention. It’s only every one single bark then he waits patiently at our feet for the rubs to start again.

Franco has added more to our family than you can imagine. Because of their ages every day we have with him, Grainne and Sheeba (both elderly ladies) is precious.

Thank you for allowing Franco to come home to our family.

Time: 2pm

Venue: St Brigid’s Park, Round Towers GAA Grounds, Kildare Town

Details: Experience a great fun day out for all the family and your beloved dog. Enter into the dog events including a rally obedience competition or simply browse through our bric-a-brac stalls. Special Offer on microchipping by on site vet €25.