Dog Advocacy Ireland

05/14/23 • 32 min

This week we’re joined by animal lover and animal advocate, John O’Callaghan, who has launched Dog Advocacy Ireland, a not for profit organisation aiming to make change! Known as the puppy farm capital of Europe, hundreds of puppy farms are permitted to operate without fear of detection or prosecution, to ‘breed for greed’ in an illegal industry which yields at least €200 million annually. He discusses why change is needed where a Government misappropriates tax-payers money in funding hare coursing and Greyhound Racing, despite public opposition, and must be held accountable for condoning dog/animal mistreatment. John explains why Ireland has a poor reputation when it comes to animal welfare despite legislation including The Animal Welfare Act and the Control of Dogs Act, Parliament is divided. "Dog Advocacy Ireland is openly inviting ALL right-minded dog/animal lovers to join our non-profit organisation in forging meaningful change of mindset and policy on dog/animal welfare protection in our country. We want Government to uphold current legislation, under the Animal welfare Act 2013 which includes the duty of care under the Five Freedoms. Similarly, Dog Advocacy Ireland wants to ensure that local authorities work proactively in line with the ‘Control of Dogs Act’ to encourage and support responsible dog ownership. Bringing dog welfare centre stage in public consciousness, together with cooperative engagement with the political system, is paramount in effecting meaningful change. John discusses why government’s abdication of statutory responsibilities on dog/animal welfare protection legislation has reached intolerable levels. Subscribe to Dog Advocacy Ireland to help bring positive change.

Twitter: @AdvocacyDog

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]

Twitter: @AdvocacyDog

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

Hercule

Phil Heckels, AKA Hercule Van Wolfwinkle, is a pet portrait artist with a self-proclaimed ‘ultra-realistic style’ that has gained him worldwide fame and an ever-increasing gaggle of disgruntled customers trying to get their hands on him! But all of that changed one late summer afternoon in 2020 when, whilst trying to coerce his young son into making some thank you cards, he doodled a picture of their family dog. The picture was rubbish, so naturally he stuck it on Facebook.
Little did he know that post would go viral and his work would soon be in high demand with requests for portraits flooding into his inbox in their tens of thousands from all over the globe.
Hercule’s self-proclaimed ‘ultra-realistic’ style is akin to that of a small child who has never seen an animal before and is only just learning how to hold a pencil properly, but people like it. A large social media following and worldwide media coverage catapulted Hercule into the limelight and he has used this exposure to raise money for his chosen charities, Turning Tides Ending Local Homelessness and StreetVet. Hercule does not take paid commission requests. All of the portraits are free and are just uploaded to his social media pages in return for a discretionary donation to the charity (more information can be found on the Facebook page). To date he has raised over £260,000 and counting and this fundraising has seen Hercule receive a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister, recognised by The Big Issue as one of their 100 Change Makers for 2021, and named as the ‘Creative Fundraiser of The Year’ at the 2022 Just Giving Awards.

Visit the website or follow on Instagram

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]

Next Episode

Pet Bereavement with Dawn Murray

This week we’re joined by Pet Bereavement Councillor, Dawn Murray. She has over 20 years experience working in the heart of the pet bereavement world, not only offering pet bereavement support but also as a pet undertaker. She has won numerous awards in relation to her work including a Points of Light award. She lives near Edinburgh with her husband and two whippets. For many years she has had a passion for retired racing Greyhounds and has loved and lost over 25 of her own pets. In her book 'An Introduction to Pet Bereavement Counselling’ she highlights the psychology behind grief. We talk about the different types of grief that different people can experience. Why many pet parents suffer greatly despite us all knowing that our pets simply don’t live long enough. The book is relevant for everyone to read as it highlights many cases, proving we’re not alone. Losing a pet is for many greater and deeper than losing a family member. And why reaching out for help is good, especially in safe hands like Dawn.

Get your copy of Dawn's book here or go to her website livingwithpetbereavement.com

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits