Most dogs seized in Tipperary last year found new homes

The vast majority of the 243 dogs surrendered or seized by Tipperary County Council’s dog wardens last year were re-homed.

This was stated by Fergal Condon, administrative officer in the council’s environment and climate action section, at a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

All of these dogs were sent to the pound in Nenagh and this arrangement worked well. The council didn’t advertise individual dogs kept in the pound because the owners may come forward to reclaim them, he said.

People should be encouraged to adopt rescue dogs rather than buying new dogs, Cllr Siobhán Ambrose stated.

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She suggested that Tipperary County Council should launch an advertising campaign for anyone interested in rescuing a dog. 243 dogs surrendered was a high number and the only dog pound in Tipperary, which was located in the north of the county, was a long way from people in south Tipperary.

A lot of people didn’t know where to go for a rescue dog. She also noted that 22 of those 243 dogs had been put to sleep. 146 were sent to rescue, 31 were reclaimed by the owners and 37 were re-homed.

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Cllr Richie Molloy said it was disappointing when the dog shelter in Kilsheelan had closed. People in this area wouldn’t travel to Nenagh and it would be better if there was a pound in the south of the county as well.

Cllr John Fitzgerald wondered if the council had any engagement with veterinary practices, the animal rescue PAWS or other agencies regarding dogs that had been surrendered.

Denis Holland, of the council’s environment section, said a second dog pound in the county was something that would be kept under review, although budgetary constraints would also have to be considered.

Fergal Condon also told the meeting that of the 49 horses seized by the council in the county last year, only three were reclaimed, while 46 were re-homed.

There were three reports of loose horses recorded from September to December in the Clonmel Borough District. One horse was seized from the three reports and re-homed. Four horses in total were seized in Clonmel Borough District during 2025.