Kildare Rescue Tails: XL Bully exemption date looming

NEW legislation regarding the ownership of XL Bully Dogs comes into effect on 1 February next.

This legislation has been delayed to enable owners to keep their pets and allow them to live out their natural life by gaining a Certificate of Exemption. 1 February is the deadline to apply for this certificate of exemption from your local authority for which there is no fee.

After this date it will be illegal to own an unregistered XL bully and any unregistered XL bully may be seized by a dog warden or garda and subsequently euthanised.

In order to gain an exemption, the dog must be microchipped and neutered. It is now imperative that immediate action be taken by any owner who has not yet microchipped or neutered their dog or submitted their application.

The KWWSPCA has just been awarded some funds by the Department of Rural & Community Development, via the ISPCA, to help those on social welfare in County Kildare and West Wicklow who may be finding it difficult to cover the veterinary costs.

The cost of first microchipping your dog is not covered under the scheme but we can assist with the neutering costs.

The veterinary procedure would need to take place in one of the veterinary practices named by the KWWSPCA. If you are in need of help, please call the KWWSPCA Helpline as soon as possible on 087 6887136 to get more information.

Kildare has a high number of XL bullies already registered which is in part owing to our own scheme last year where the KWWSPCA used its own funds to help a number of XL bully owners in Kildare get the necessary veterinary work carried out so that the dog could be registered.

In other news, we are delighted to report that our adoption process has recommenced with 24 cats/kittens finding their new homes in just one weekend and 15 dogs/puppies already sorted!

WWSPCA is a registered charity no. CHY 6280 and can be contacted at kwwspca@gmail.com.

All our details can be found at www.kwwspca.ie.