18th November 2024: Ireland is embracing pet adoption with enthusiasm, as shown by the 62% of pet owners who have chosen to adopt rescues. Petmania, Ireland’s leading pet care retailer highlights this growing commitment to animal welfare in its 2024 Pet Rescue and Adoption Report. The report reveals both the inspiring trends in pet adoption and the pressing challenges faced by Ireland’s rescue centers, calling for more public support to bolster these efforts and advocate for responsible pet ownership.
Drawing on two extensive surveys—one with 943 pet owners and another with 38 rescue centers nationwide—the report brings forward insights into Ireland’s evolving approach to animal welfare and highlights areas for potential public and policy engagement. RTÉ 2FM presenter and Petmania ambassador Laura Fox, together with her rescue dog Thor, is leading the call to inspire greater support for rescue centers and promote the many ways the public can get involved.
The report finds a significant adoption rate, with 84% of surveyed pet owners bringing a rescue animal into their homes within the last five years. This trend reflects a growing societal awareness of adoption’s importance. Additionally, over a quarter of adopters have taken in more than one pet, showcasing an increased willingness to support multiple animals in need.
However, the report also reveals areas that require attention, such as the fact that 61% of rescue pets were not neutered and 59% were not microchipped prior to adoption—key practices Petmania advocates to reduce pet overpopulation and improve the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Rehoming senior pets poses another challenge; more than half of rescue centers report difficulties in finding homes for animals over five years old, underscoring the need to encourage the adoption of older pets.
“Petmania’s findings show that Ireland’s compassion for rescue pets is real and growing, but there is more to be done,” explains Emily Miller, Marketing Manager at Petmania. “We see that 94% of pet owners are willing to donate to support rescue efforts. This campaign aims to inspire people to get involved, whether by adopting, volunteering, or donating. Every pet deserves a loving home, and together, we can make that a reality.”
RTE 2FM presenter, Laura Fox, a passionate Petmania ambassador, shares her experience and hopes for the campaign:
“Thor has brought so much joy into my life, and I’m honoured to be part of this movement,” she says. “Adopting a rescue pet is truly life-changing. This campaign celebrates the unique bond with rescue animals and shows how incredible pets are waiting for loving homes across Ireland.”
The report also includes voices from the rescue community, highlighting the vital impact of Petmania’s support. XXX from [Local Rescue Center] explains, “Shelters often care for up to 100 animals at a time, and with the help of Petmania and advocates like Laura Fox, we’re able to bring much-needed attention to our work. For each pet adopted, we make room for another animal in need. But with 60% of rescues housing an average of 20 to 30 animals, public support remains essential.”
In its continued advocacy for responsible pet ownership, Petmania’s report addresses barriers to successful adoption, with health issues and age identified as significant challenges. Approximately 75% of shelters cite health problems as obstacles to rehoming, while 70% find age to be a factor. Petmania encourages the public to consider adopting pets with special needs and to support local shelters through donations, foster care, or volunteering.
The Petmania research was conducted through a survey of over 900 pet owners and 38 rescue centers across Ireland in June 2024.
For more information, expert pet care advice, and store locations, visit www.petmania.ie.
To view the full 2024 Pet Rescue and Adoption Report, go to https://www.petmania.ie/pet-rescue-landscape-in-ireland.
