MADRA — Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption

MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption) rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned dogs. Its rescue shelter is at Cinn Mhara, Camus, in the Connemara Gaeltacht in Co. Galway, and it has worked with the dog pounds of Galway and Mayo since the mid-2000s, taking in dogs before they reach the end of their statutory holding period. In recent years it has taken in roughly 500 to 600 dogs a year.

Every MADRA dog is vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms, microchipped and neutered before it goes to a new home. Dogs are cared for at the shelter or with volunteer foster families while they wait for adoption.

To adopt, you fill in the adoption questionnaire on MADRA’s website, a member of the rehoming team contacts you, and if there is a good match you meet the dog at an arranged appointment; a home check may follow, and you sign an adoption contract. The recommended adoption donation is €245 for an adult dog and €275 for a pup. Visits to the shelter are by appointment only.

You can also help by fostering, sponsoring a dog, volunteering, shopping at the MADRA charity shop in Moycullen, or donating by card, PayPal or bank transfer. MADRA is a registered charity in Ireland (Registered Charity Number 20072698) and relies on donations to cover kennelling, food and vet bills.