Ireland's oldest & largest animal rescue. We rescue, rehabilitate & rehome cats, dogs, equine & other
17/08/2025
We have so many beautiful, sweet, loving dogs looking for homes.
Here are just 10 of the many dogs in the shelter waiting to meet you hoping they’ll be the special one for you 🧡
With so many different breeds, sizes, ages and personalities there’s sure to be the perfect rescue for you 🐶
You can read about them on our website. Link bio 🔗
The DSPCA is located in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 and is open to visitors Tuesday-Sunday from 12-4pm. No appointment required.
Don’t forget to share this post to help all the dogs find their perfect humans.
When you adopt, we can rescue more 🐾
16/08/2025
I’m a pigeon with high intelligence. 🐦
Pigeons can recognise themselves in mirrors.
This is rare in the animal kingdom. They pass the “mirror test” which means they have a level of self-awareness.
If you see me, please be kind, I mean you no harm.
16/08/2025
It’s Catterday 🐱
The Cattery is open all weekend and we have so many beautiful cats waiting to meet you.
The DSPCA is located in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 and is open to visitors Tuesday-Sunday from 12-4pm. No appointment required.
When you adopt, we can rescue more. 🐾
15/08/2025
TWO LEADING ANIMAL WELFARE CHARITIES MERGE TO CREATE NEW NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATION.
The Boards of the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) and Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) today confirm both organisations have signed an agreement to merge to form a single, integrated national animal welfare organisation. The merger when fully completed will create the new National SPCA (final brand to be agreed and approved by the Charity Regulator) and will be operational by 1st October 2025.
The establishment of one leading animal welfare charity in Ireland will deliver a unified national animal welfare strategy across the country to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome sick, injured or cruelly treated animals. Ireland is currently in the midst of a national crisis in animal welfare with record numbers of animals requiring rescue, treatment and rehoming. This has put huge strain on all organisations in the sector. This merger brings together Ireland’s two largest animal welfare charities who have always had the same mission: the protection of animals and prevention of cruelty. The new entity will benefit from combined resources, structure, expertise, facilities and geographical reach.
Today we had a lovely visit from our friends Andrew and Rachel from Waterford Animal Rescue. They do incredible work, and we’re always happy to help.
We welcomed 8 beautiful dogs. The older dogs will be ready to be rehomed in the next few days and the 3 puppies will be heading out to foster homes today and will be ready for adoption in a few weeks time.
14/08/2025
DSPCA Statement on Tragic Incident Involving Horse and Sulky Cart in Clondalkin.
Date 14 August 2025
The DSPCA is deeply shocked and horrified by a tragic incident that occurred on Monday, 11th August 2025, in the Clondalkin area of Dublin. A sulky cart, drawn by a horse as part of a funeral procession, was involved in a serious collision with a car.
Disturbing footage of the incident has been widely circulated across social media and news platforms, leaving the local community shaken and raising urgent concerns about public safety and animal welfare. The DSPCA is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.
The video clearly shows a complete lack of care and responsibility on the part of the individual in control of the horse and sulky cart. This reckless behaviour not only endangered the horse’s welfare but also posed a serious risk to public safety, including to the grieving family and community members attending the funeral.
This devastating incident highlights repeated breaches of several key pieces of legislation, including the Road Traffic Act, the Control of Horses Act 1996, and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, legislation that is too often ignored in Dublin and beyond.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case. The presence of horses on city streets has increased significantly in the past year, and the DSPCA has seen a rise in equine welfare cases as a result. Many of these animals suffer due to inadequate care, training, and oversight, and it is the horses that continue to pay the price.
DSPCA is calling for a multi-agency task force to address the growing equine welfare crisis in Dublin. A strategic, coordinated response is needed to prevent more incidents like this taking place.
The DSPCA is actively investigating this case in collaboration with An Garda Síochána. We urge anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have further video footage or information to come forward.
Please contact the DSPCA Inspectorate in confidence at 01 499 4727 or email [email protected] or the Garda Confidential Line, freephone,1800 666 111.
The DSPCA remains committed to protecting the welfare of animals and advocating for stronger enforcement of existing legislation to prevent further tragedies of this kind.
12/08/2025
Duchess & Chunk - an inseparable mother and son duo 🧡
At 11 and 9 years old, Duchess and her son Chunk never imagined they’d find themselves in a shelter together but sadly, it's now their reality.
They arrived into our care from another rescue after they were surrendered by their owner hoping to find a new home where they can stay side by side.
They’re medium, adorable bundles of affection who absolutely adore human company. Duchess and Chunk have been together their whole lives, and they play an important role in each other’s happiness and comfort.They both have limited vision, so they rely on each other for stability and reassurance.
Although they are a slightly older pair they are both still full of life and energy and love getting out for their walks. Their favourite part of the day is when they hear you coming...they will smother you in kisses!
Duchess & Chunk are an absolute joy to be around and we’re looking for a very special someone to take this sweet duo home together. They are robust and bouncy so a home with teenagers would be best as they will certainly knock over little humans with excitement. They are good with other dogs, travel well in the car, walk great on the lead and could possibly live with cats too.
If you think this pair would fit into your home and are prepared for lots and lots cuddles, then please come and visit them at the DSPCA. Don't forget you can also help by sharing this post.
You can visit without an appointment, Tues-Sun from 12-4pm. Our adoption process is made easy for you so that you and your new best friend(s) aren’t waiting too long to take those first steps home together.
11/08/2025
Found huddled beside his dead sibling 💔
This tiny 10 week old puppy was found huddled beside his sibling who had already passed away 😞
His fragile body was crawling with fleas, his skin was raw, inflamed, and blood stained. He was so uncomfortable, constantly scratching and crying.
How anyone could leave him like this is beyond words. It’s absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating and it’s not okay.
Little Millhouse is now safe and receiving regular medicated baths to help his skin. He is in a foster home receiving much needed TLC. Sadly his sibling never got to feel safe.
This is who you are helping when you donate, fundraise, volunteer or foster for the DSPCA. As a charity we reply on your support. It has a huge impact on their lives.
This horse was picked up from Killenarden Tallaght, close to the Sacred Heart Football Club.
This horse is owned and we would like to speak with its owner. Proof of ownership required. Please contact the DSPCA on 4994727 or email [email protected].
Thank you.
10/08/2025
Yes we do adopt to:
Families living in apartments
Homes with young children
Homes with an existing dog
Homes with cats
Families who work full time
However, not every dog is suitable to live in an apartment or with children, with an existing dogs or cats.
We have a duty of care to every dog we adopt and every family we adopt to.
We are here to help you find the perfect pet for your home so please be patient and trust us to help you 🐶
You can visit without an appointment, Tues-Sun from 12-4pm 🐾
To read about any of the dogs in this post and to see all the other dogs available for adoption visit our website dspca.ie then come and visit the shelter 🐾
09/08/2025
Kittens For Adoption 🧡
Good morning from some of the gorgeous kittens waiting to be adopted in the Cattery.
Kitten Adoption Process 🐱
Kittens are not put on our website so you must visit shelter to see them. When you see ‘the one’ talk to the cat rehoming team and they will show you how to fill in the application for that specific kitten. We do not keep a waiting list for kittens.
Once the application has been completed and all is in order, your adoption can be within the next 24 hours 🧡
We are open all weekend from 12 until 4pm - no appointment needed.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when DSPCA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was established in 1840 and is the oldest and largest animal charity in the Republic of Ireland.
In its early days the Society was known as the Dublin Auxiliary of the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals and it was founded the year the RSPCA received Royal Patronage, over the years it has had many names including “The Dublin Home for Starving and Forsaken Cats”.
The Society was based at Grand Canal Quay in Dublin City from its formation in 1840 up until 1990, and generations of Dublin people were familiar with it as “The Dogs and Cats Home” and at times as “The Cats & Dogs Home”.
In 1990 the Society moved to the Potterton Restfields at Stocking Lane in Rathfarnham, a suburb of Dublin. The land was bequeathed to the Society in the 1930s as a place to graze retired working horses.
In 2003 the Society moved to its new premises on Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham where state of the art facilities were built to continue the work of the Society. The DSPCA continues to care for the sick, injured and cruelty treated animals in Dublin city and county.
In 2010 the DSPCA commenced work on a new unique sustainable charity model for animal welfare. The new Pet Boarding Center opened in November 2010 and the private Vet Clinic opened in February 2011.
The DSPCA is the only animal welfare charity in the city that cares for all animals, domestic and wild. This is a tradition the staff at the DSPCA are very proud of.
