Charity stages Ireland’s first four-legged ‘Blind Date’ for dogs

The country’s animal rescue shelters are testimony to the number of well-intentioned people who think they want a dog – only to find their new pet isn’t what they were looking for after all.

That’s why Galway dog rescue charity MADRA is trying to ensure that the right family is matched with the perfect pet – by getting into the matchmaking business!

The charity is calling on people to apply to take part in its ‘Doggy Blind Date’ programme which will take place this Valentine’s weekend in Galway city. The GMIT Sports Hall in Galway will provide the venue for a MADRA Adoption Day on Sunday, February 19, from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

MADRA currently have over fifty dogs looking for new homes due to the continued growth in the number of stray and surrender dogs coming into their care – and MADRA spokesperson Edel Comerford is hopeful that this event will result in some new homes being found.

“With so many dogs in our care we are always eager to find suitable new homes for them. Our kennels are often full up and it is important we can move the dogs on as quickly as possible in order to free up some space for the dogs currently waiting in the pounds,” she said.

The adoption day will coincide with MADRA’s Doggy Blind Date event which aims to find some lucky humans their new best friend whilst also endeavouring to highlight the importance of choosing the right dog for your lifestyle.

“Though the main objective of the day is to re-home some of the dogs in order to make space for our new arrivals, we also want to be sure that people have thought long and hard about the responsibility involved in owning a dog, and we will talk people through this carefully on the day,” said Edel.

“People come from far and wide to meet our dogs, and many end up finding their perfect canine match at an adoption day,” she added.

All dogs are micro-chipped, vaccinated and neutered before going to their new homes and an adoption fee of €150 is recommended to cover the cost of these procedures.

MADRA is a Connemara based dog rescue and re-homing facility whose ultimate and overall aim is to ensure that all dogs have permanent, loving homes. If you are interested in adopting a MADRA rescue dog, visit www.madra.ie and fill out the online questionnaire.