Ireland has a surplus of abandoned, unwanted, and neglected dogs.
Each year, thousands of these dogs are euthanised.
You can help prevent this unnecessary death by adopting a dog from any of these dog rescue centres in Ireland.
When you adopt a dog, you get a fiercely loyal companion who will also love you unconditionally.
If you and your family would like to give a dog a new furever home, this list of top dog rescue centres in Ireland will help you choose the right pooch for you and your family.
Some of these facilities even offer specific breeds such as the Husky Rescue Ireland and Sera Husky Animal Rescue.
Others such as Dogs Trust Ireland have strict non-destruction policies so whether you choose to adopt or donate, you can be sure you are helping a dog enjoy a long, happy life.
1. MADRA
MADRA is a dog rescue facility in Ireland that rehabilitates and rehomes abused, unwanted, and neglected dogs.
The centre in Galway is part of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes and works hard to uphold its values.
The working kennel takes dogs from different backgrounds with many still under assessment to determine their medical, rehabilitation, and training needs.
All dogs brought to MADRA are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and treated for ticks and fleas.
If you would like to adopt a dog from MADRA, the team of volunteers at the facility have years of experience and will ensure that you are matched with the best canine companion for your lifestyle.
You can also support the facility through donations, volunteering, fundraising, fostering or sponsoring a dog, and leaving a legacy.
The dog rescue also has some long-term boarders who cannot be rehomed for various reasons and is always looking for volunteers and donations towards their long-term care.
Get in touch with the dog-loving team at MADRA to find out more about their adoption policies and costs as you start your journey toward becoming a pet parent.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Kinvarra, Camus Oughter, Co. Galway, H91 AK38, Ireland
- Phone: +353 91 577 813
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.madra.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
2. Dogs Trust Ireland
With over 20,000 dogs successfully rehomed since 2009, Dogs Trust is one of the biggest rescue centres in Ireland.
This dog rescue centre in Ireland has also helped educate many dog pawrents by holding over 19,000 education workshops.
Dogs Trust is committed to helping stray, abandoned, and unwanted pets enjoy a happy life without the threat of destruction.
Each year, the facility accommodates over 500 dogs and ensures all of them are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and rehabilitated for any behavioural issues.
Before adoption, you will be asked to consent to a home check to ensure your home has enough room for a new pooch.
You can also support Dogs Trust in Ireland through donations, corporate sponsorship, volunteering, tax-efficient giving, or leaving a gift in your will.
Reach out to Dogs Trust to find out more about their adoption process and find out how you can help.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Ashbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
- Phone: 01 8791000
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.dogstrust.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
3. ASH Animal Rescue
Whether you are looking to adopt a dog or show some love to a pup, a visit to ASH Animal Rescue will always leave a smile on your face.
This animal rescue in Rathdangan was started in 1990 and has successfully rehomed many dogs while offering sanctuary to those who cannot be adopted.
ASH Animal Rescue is a non-profit charity with a strict non-destruction policy.
Dogs are grouped into four major categories including puppies, adult dogs, adult dogs that have been booked and are on transit to ASH, and permanent residents.
All dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and treated for fleas and worms before adoption.
Dogs in need of rehabilitation are also treated by professionals before they are cleared for rehoming.
If you do not have room in your home to adopt a dog, you can support ASH Animal Rescue through donations, fundraising, or sponsoring a dog.
Get in touch with his charity organisation through their details below.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Cornan East, Kiltegan, Rathdangan, Co.Wicklow, Ireland, W91 FN52
- Phone: 059 647 3396/+353 59 6473396
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.ashanimalrescue.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
4. ISPCA
The ISPCA is dedicated to upholding animal welfare and has established itself as one of the leading rescue centres in Ireland.
The facility rescues sick, neglected, and abused animals while proactively relieving animal suffering in the country.
If you are looking to adopt a dog, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the right place to start.
This facility also offers a variety of services for pet lovers in Ireland including public education, facilitating pet care for the elderly, reuniting families with their lost pets, inspectorate services, and more.
All dogs at ISPCA are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and treated for fleas and worms before rehoming.
You can also support this dog rescue centre through donations, volunteering, and reporting lost pups.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Derryglogher, Keenagh, Co. Longford, Ireland
- Phone: 043 33 25035
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.ispca.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
5. DSPCA
Established over 180 years ago, DSPCA has grown into one of the leading animal welfare facilities in the country.
The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has rescued hundreds of dogs and helped them settle under the loving care of their new forever parents.
DSPCA started its operations as The Dublin Home for Starving and Forsaken Cats or The Dog and Cats Home.
Originally founded to prevent cruelty to animals, the facility is operated by volunteers who are passionate about animal welfare.
DSPCA also offers animal welfare inspection services, surgery, neutering, vaccination, and providing ongoing care and support as well as critical care.
You can support this animal welfare facility through donations or volunteering.
Check out the adoption page on their website to see all the lovely fur babies available for adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: DSPCA Campus, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, D16 F9C4
- Phone: (01) 499 4710
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.dspca.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
6. Husky Rescue Ireland
Husky Rescue Ireland is a charity that aims to alleviate the suffering of huskies as a result of abuse and neglect.
The facility is also dedicated to rehoming Akitas with its key objectives being rescue and rehabilitation.
This dog rescue centre also educates the public on the impact of un-neutered Akitas as it promotes responsible pet ownership.
All huskies brought to this facility are neutered, vaccinated, and treated for any medical concerns they might have.
Husky Rescue Ireland is also involved in advocating for changes in the law that affect animal welfare, rehabilitation of traumatised dogs, supporting pet parents to keep rather than rehome their pets, and promoting voluntary animal rescue groups across Ireland.
If a husky is your family’s dream dog, you can adopt a dog from this animal welfare facility after a successful home check.
Remember, huskies are pack animals and can get destructive if left alone for long periods of time so your family will need to have enough time to keep your new pooch engaged.
Adoption fees start at €200 in the Republic of Ireland and £180 in Northern Ireland.
You can also support this facility through donations, volunteering, shopping, or sponsoring a dog.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Coolnacrutta, Coolnacritta, Co. Laois, R32 E4XN, Ireland
- Phone: +353 85 247 3805
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.huskyrescueireland.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
7. PAWS Animal Rescue
This wholly Irish charity is dedicated to the rescue of abandoned and homeless dogs.
PAWS was established in 1997 and takes in dogs from parents who are unable to care for them and those in danger of destruction from high-kill pounds.
Deidre and Gina Hetherington started PAWS in 1997 to rehome unwanted pets and save the over 35,000 dogs being killed in Irish pounds annually.
By the year 2000, the facility had expanded its operations to take in dogs from various pounds in Ireland.
PAWS also prevents unwanted puppies from being born through its neutering program.
The dog-loving team at this dog rescue centre in Ireland rescues hundreds of animals each year with the help of local veterinary surgeons, overseas adoption groups, and volunteers.
PAWS has up to 90 dogs under its care at any time and relies on the kindness of well-wishers to continue its good work.
The facility currently has over 80 dogs waiting to meet their forever families.
If you would like to adopt a dog, visit their adoption page to see all the dogs available.
You can also support PAWS through donations, volunteering, fundraising, or shopping.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Mullinahone, County Tipperary, Ireland E41 R652
- Phone: +353 52 9153507
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://paws.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
8. Limerick Animal Welfare
Since opening its doors in 1983, Limerick has welcomed thousands of unwanted dogs, cats and other animals and helped them find their forever homes.
The facility has a strict non-destruction policy that ensures no animals are killed unless they are so ill that their suffering cannot be alleviated.
The charity animal welfare organisation relies heavily on donations, fundraising and grants from the local community.
All pets are Limerick Animal Welfare are vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered before adoption.
The facility also treats all animals for any medical conditions and rehabilitates them for any behavioural problems.
If you would like to adopt a pet, visit Limerick Animal Welfare’s adoption page.
Adoption fees start at €250.
You can support this facility through donations, volunteering or joining the Limerick Animal Welfare campaign against the unnecessary destruction of the Irish Greyhounds after they retire from racing.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Moorestown, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick
- Phone: 063 91110 or Out of Hours 087 6371044
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.limerickanimalwelfare.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
9. Wicklow SPCA
The Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has served the Irish community for over a decade.
The facility promotes responsibility among pet parents and advocates for the prevention of animal cruelty.
In 1990, the sanctuary moved its operations to Sharpeshill Animal Sanctuary, an estate bequeathed to a three-legged terrier by their pawrent, Mr Regionald Sharpe.
A weathervane of this three-legged pooch sits over the administration building to date.
If you would like to adopt a dog from Wicklow SPCA, the team at the facility will offer advice on which canine companion would be best for your family lifestyle.
You will be required to make a €30 adoption donation deposit as you prepare to bring your new dog home and clear the balance of €155 as you take them from the rescue centre.
All dogs at this facility are neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption.
They are also treated for any medical issues by trained professionals.
You can also support Wicklow SPCA through donations, volunteering, leaving a legacy, or corporate sponsorship.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Sharpeshill Sanctuary, Ballygannon Mor, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, A67 YK81
- Phone: 0404 44783
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://wicklowspca.org/
- Social Media: Facebook
10. Deise Animal Sanctuary
Patricia, an Animal Health Trading Standards Inspector from Wales, started this animal rescue centre in Waterford after she saved several animals that were subjected to cruelty and inhumane conditions.
Deise takes in a variety of animals, including exotic pets, and cares for them until they can find permanent homes.
If you would like to adopt a dog from this rescue centre in Ireland, send an email to Patricia and her team including details of your home and a picture of your garden and they will contact you if a dog is available.
You will be allowed to keep the pooch in your home as a foster parent until the match is confirmed for permanent adoption.
You can also support Deise Animal Sanctuary through donations or volunteering as they currently do not have the capacity to employ paid staff.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Knocknaree, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, E91 N153
- Phone: +353 87 311 9509
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://deiseanimalsanctuary.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
11. Sera Husky Animal Rescue
This small, non-profit dog rescue facility in Ireland is also dedicated to helping huskies and other wolf-type breeds in need.
The facility in County Kerry was founded by Maurice Enright in 2014 and is dedicated to taking in abandoned, and unwanted dogs as well as those whose parents can no longer care for them.
Sera Husky Animal Rescue also offers a variety of services to the Ireland community including fundraising, educational school events, animal rescue, rehoming, neutering, vaccination, and animal licensing among others.
If you would like to adopt a husky from this rescue centre, visit the adoption page on their website to see all the available pups.
Adoption donations start at €100 for puppies and €150 for adults.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Ballyegan, Lisselton, Listowel, Co. Kerry, V31 WE16
- Phone: 087 351 2719
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.serahuskyrescue.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
12. Kildare Animal Foundation
This dog rescue centre was founded by Geraldine O’Hanlon in 1994.
The facility cares for over 100 sick, injured, abused, and neglected animals including dogs, cats, and other small pets.
The rescue centre is committed to the prevention of animal cruelty.
If you and your family are ready for a new addition, visit the Kildare Animal Foundation adoption page on their website to see all the lovely dogs waiting to meet you.
All dogs at this facility are neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for any illnesses before adoption.
You can also support the team at Kildare through donations, volunteering, or corporate sponsorship.
Get in touch with the team at this dog rescue centre through their details below.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Lough Andy’s House, South Green Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare. R51 YE00
- Phone: 087 626 1412
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://animalfoundation.ie/
- Social Media: Facebook
Conclusion to Dog Rescues in Ireland
This list of dog rescue centres will help match you and your family to the canine companion of your dreams.
Some charge a small adoption donation which goes toward vaccination, neutering, microchipping, and any other medical procedures that your dog may need.
As you prepare to bring your new dog home, remember some of the dogs at these rescue centres have a history of cruel treatment and abandonment.
However, with plenty of patience and care, they will soon adapt to living in a well-balanced, loving home.