Kildare Animal Foundation host open day
Maisey Conlon, Smarty Marty and Makayla O'Donovan at Kildare Animal Foundation's Open Day Photo: Jimmy Fullam
NOW entering its 30th year of caring for the less fortunate animals in the county, the Kildare Animal Foundation (KAF) held its annual open day last Sunday (14 July).
Based on South Green Road in Kildare town, they held the open day for nearly four hours in the afternoon.
“I don’t know the exact figure, but there were hundreds of visitors, it was a great day,” said Geraldine O’Hanlon.
At present the foundation is looking after just under 100 animals.
“We have 31 dogs, and 38 cats, but we don’t keep exotics,” she said.
“For seven and a half years we had a wildlife programme, but ended it three years ago because it was such a strain on us, our manpower and finances, it nearly broke us,” she said.
"Also, if we had any grazing animals like donkeys or ponies, they would have to share the fields with the dogs, so that didn’t work, so we decided to focus on domestic animals so they could have the field to themselves.
“They need to get out pretty often and stretch their legs, we would have a lot of greyhounds and lurchers, and they need their exercise, and also because we don’t put animals down we need the space.
“Good quality care is what matters, and this is our 30th year."
Geraldine added: “When we started out we took over a shelter that was overcrowded, and back then it was just us and the (county) pound.
“We take in sick and injured animals, and animals from cruelty cases.
“We would have the most space to manage the animals, and give them the time they need.
She concluded: “The last 30 years has been a roller-coaster, but the good days are better than anything you could imagine, and no two days are the same."
