Animal welfare expert Frank Weber, reactor on the VOX show “Hund Cat Mouse”, has often supported my mother's work in Ireland. In spring 2017 the time had come: we flew to Ireland together so that Frank Weber could get an on-site impression of the situation in the racing dog industry in Ireland and to help meet two of the greyhounds that live on the farm to convey to Germany. Together with my mother we visited a so-called dog pound, a state kennel where hundreds of dogs were killed and some still are killed, we went to the dog racing track in Limmerick and of course to the farm.
We work with various animal shelters and animal welfare organizations in Ireland. Due to the sometimes untrained helpers, they are often overwhelmed with the care of kittens and dogs, as well as very sick animals. We are known locally and are called to help in such cases.
Greyhound racing and the associated sports betting are a popular leisure activity for the whole family in Ireland. The racing industry is a tough business. If the bred dogs are not suitable for racing or are too old for it, the majority of them end up in killing stations. There is a 24-hour deadline for greyhounds: if they are not rehomed within this time, they are certain to die. Of course, these killing stations (pounds) also take in all other animals such as cats, domestic dogs or horses.
“We try very hard to find a suitable new home for the dogs. Our greyhounds are not simply shipped from the animal shelters to their new owners like Spanish dogs, but we first take care of the dog's health and mental state. Once we get to know him, we’ll look for the right family for him.”
Kristiane
She is literally burning to please - a young dog with great potential. We go into the house and get to know the cats. Bumblebee – a beautiful animal with three legs. She lay in a ditch in the city for days. Until a woman and her daughter took care of the cat. In the surrounding shops they asked “who owns this cat?” “Oh, that one – it’s been there for days, it doesn’t belong to anyone…” The leg had to be amputated and Kristiane nursed the seriously ill cat back to health. Bumblebee is fabulous: super friendly, curious, completely trusting. I would love to take them with me... Two kittens are frolicking on the windowsill. We named them Iva and Olli. Adorable! Healthy and happy and recovered after the rescue, they explore their surroundings. Kristiane tells us the animals' stories and I feel sick. The cruel indifference of people is unimaginable, it is unimaginable that these tortured, mistreated and forgotten animals still treat us so kindly and lovingly. Kristiane's farm is large and spacious with beautiful adjacent meadows where her ponies and her two donkeys Molly and Lennart graze. Every animal has a tragic story. When you see the animals now, you won't believe it. Weenona comes around the corner. A picture of a greyhound. Shiny fur, very charismatic appearance. Due to a rare liver disease that almost cost her her life in two ways, she requires extra care and extra food as well as regular veterinary monitoring. When you see the dog beaming happily, you want to give her EVERYTHING. The day passes. Iva is allowed to help look after the ponies and donkeys and bring them to the night paddock. The donkeys are very interested in our motorhome, I have to close the door otherwise they would probably get in. Tullya is a bit overwhelmed