Canines on Campus
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is delighted to host Canines on Campus, a dog walk and online fundraiser supporting four amazing rescues in the west and northwest of Ireland: MADRA (Galway), Galway SPCA, Leitrim Animal Welfare, and Animals in Need Donegal on Monday, August 26th, 2024 which also happens to be National Dog Day!
This event provides a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals as shelters nationwide strive to improve animal welfare.
Join us for an ATU-hosted dog walk and a fundraiser supporting these incredible animal rescues!
| Date | Time | Location |
| Monday, 26 August 2024 | 2 pm - 4 pm | ATU Galway City Campus ATU Sligo Campus ATU Donegal Letterkenny Campus |
If you missed the event but still want to contribute, there's still time!
Donations are being gratefully accepted until 2nd September, 2024 to support these wonderful organisations :)
Galway: Donate here (to support MADRA and Galway SPCA)
Sligo: Donate here (to support Leitrim Animal Welfare)
Donegal: Donate here (to support Animals in Need Donegal )
MADRA is an acronym for Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption… and it is also the Irish for dog.
Based in Connemara, Co Galway, we have worked to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome several thousand unwanted, abandoned, and neglected dogs across the west coast of Ireland and beyond since 2005. We are an Irish registered charity and our charity number is 20072698.
Our story started in a much less enlightened era, when the dog pounds of Galway and Mayo were at capacity and euthanasia rates were as high as 83%. Our co-founder Marina Fiddler, together with friend and dog trainer Tara Nic Dhiarmada, decided to set up MADRA to help these dogs that had been let down so badly by humans. The charity was set up specifically to rescue and rehabilitate dogs that were at risk of being put to sleep because they were excess to requirements. The aim was to then place them in quality homes.
When dogs come under our care, they may go straight to the kennels or into a foster home. They’ll be micro-chipped, neutered, and vaccinated and following assessment, our team works to find loving homes for each of our rescued dogs. Our work doesn’t stop there. Once a MADRA dog, always MADRA supported – we provide ongoing training support and advice as needed.
MADRA takes in 500-600 dogs every year. We’re at 100% capacity all year round and work 365 days. We are volunteer-led with a small team of employees and over 50 regular volunteers.
Galway SPCA has been an active force in Animal Welfare in Co. Galway for over 20 years. We are a registered Charity and a Not-for-Profit organisation.
Why we do what we do.
Our fundamental aim is to reach as many animals that find themselves in need, through neglect, abandonment, abuse or simply at risk due to a change of circumstances, as our resources allow.
Alongside our main aim is a strong ethic of Education – education to encourage responsible ownership, to inspire a compassionate and caring society that recognises all animals as sentient beings and to give them the respect they deserve.
We strive to create an environment in which we do not need to exist!
Whilst our main focus is on companion animals, we support recognised agencies working in animal welfare areas that we do not have the facilities or resources for.
Galway SPCA is proud of its tradition of using its voice to speak out in cases of animal injustice and will continue to support recognised campaigns to raise standards
Leitrim Animal Welfare has been a sanctuary for countless animals in need since 1997. Our journey reached a milestone in May 2003 when we partnered with Leitrim County Council, taking over the operation of the County Leitrim Dog Pound.
Our mission is driven by love and compassion—to rescue, nurture, and care for abandoned and stray dogs who have known too much hardship and too little kindness. Every dog deserves a chance at a happy life, and we are unwavering in our commitment to finding each one a forever home filled with love and joy.
We invite you to be part of this heartwarming mission. Your contribution can transform lives, offering these precious animals the love and care they so desperately need. Together, we can create a ripple of kindness and make the world a better place, one wagging tail at a time.
Founded by Christine Coulson and the Leitrim Animal Welfare Committee.
Founded in 2006 by a small group of like-minded individuals in Donegal, Animals In Need is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating animal suffering.
Initially, we focused on fundraising for other animal welfare groups however, thanks to increased community awareness and support as well as recognizing the increasing demand for direct intervention, and became a hands-on voluntary group.
Over the years, it has grown and evolved into a hands-on group that rescues and re-homes unwanted, injured, and abandoned animals. Managed by a dedicated volunteer committee, Animals in Need continues to make a significant impact in the lives of countless animals.
There will be a donation table on each campus on the day of the event to facilitate each rescue’s wish list. If you can’t do the walk, but want to donate to a wish list, please swing by your nearest campus.
MADRA (Wishlist) –
Tins of dog food
Tins of sardines and mackerel (in water, not oil or tomato sauce)
Probiotics
Puzzle Toys
Kongs
Lickimats
Galway SPCA (Wishlist) –
Brandy wet food
Naturo wet food
Winalot pouches
Sardines in water
Lickmats
Toys (not squeaky toys please)
Leitrim Animal Welfare (Wishlist) –
Maxi Zoo Premiere Soft Mini Adult poultry 4 kg
Maxi Zoo Premiere Best Meat Adult Chicken 12.5 kg
Maxi Zoo Premiere Best Meat Juniro Chicken 12.5 kg
Tins of dogfood
Kongs
Lickimats
Animals in Need (Wishlist) –
Wet cat food
Wet kitten food
Wet puppy food
Wet dog food
Cat toys
Study dog toys
Puppy pads
Towels- used
Galway Campus Contact: Ruth Shortt – ruth.shortt@atu.ie
Sligo Campus Contact: Ivana Hanjs - ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
Donegal Campus Contact: Jack Burke – jack.burke@atu.ie