The Department of Agriculture and Food supports Mobile Clinic Service
At the end of 2005 and for the second year running, the Department of Agriculture and Food provided substantial increased grant aid of €80,000 to the Irish Blue Cross.  A significant proportion of the increased funding (50%) went towards a new mobile clinic for needy pets to replace the charity’s oldest vehicle.  Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister of Agriculture and Food cut the ribbon on the new vehicle at the Irish Blue Cross base at Inchicore in August this year.  The new resource is a major boost to volunteer vets, drivers and helpers who operate the mobile clinic service and to the many pet owners who are unable to afford private veterinary fees.  Each week, an average of 200 needy pets receive vital veterinary care at the charity’s ten mobile veterinary clinics operating throughout Dublin.

Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister of Agriculture and Food

The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government continues to fund neutering scheme
In May 2006, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government continued its support of the Irish Blue Cross by providing a grant for €12,500 so that the charity could continue its work in neutering of dogs.  This is the fourth year for the Department to continue supporting the charity’s popular scheme that targets the needy.  In all, grants of €35,000 have been given by the Department.

The scheme complements the work of the charity in the prevention of unwanted litters of kittens and puppies.  It is a key contributing factor in reducing the level of strays, which is on the decline in recent years.

Dublin City Council grants planning permission for Small Animal Clinic
In early 2006, Dublin City Council granted planning permission to the charity for the development of a small animal clinic at 15A Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Inchicore.  Once the funding is in place, work is hoped to start on the development of the exciting new facility in 2007.

It is envisaged that the new clinic will be a significant boost for needy animals. It will mean greater and easier access for pet owners requiring low-cost surgeries and tests for their pets.  At the same time, the charity intends to maximize the level of the goodwill of the veterinary profession alongside this new development.

Crucial to the success of the clinic is underpinning significant funding in the region of €250,000 to cover all set up costs.