Two pups that were discovered abandoned in a swamp are currently being cared for until they recover.
According to Dogs Trust Ireland, the number of abandoned cases is also rising.
A member of the public discovered two malnourished Pitbull crossbreed pups abandoned at a bog in Donadea, County Kildare, and turned them over to the charity.
Sandra Ruddell, assistant manager of Dogs Trust Ireland, stated: “I was devastated to see these two helpless tiny puppies with their bones sticking out.
“We know there is very little rescue space available at the moment by the sheer volume of dogs we are being asked to take in, but we are begging people not to abandon their dogs, especially young puppies who have very little chance of survival if not discovered quickly.”
Thus far this year, 412 requests to surrender pets have been received by the organisation.
It received 3,968 requests of this kind last year; the most common reasons given by the owners were behavioural problems, lack of time, and difficulties finding accommodations.
Despite the fact that the organisation placed 1,042 dogs in homes last year, it is worried that 2024 may present greater difficulties because its funding is "stretched to the limit.”