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Atlantic Technological University (ATU) raised over €2,000 in support of four animal rescues in the west and northwest of Ireland: MADRA (Galway), Galway SPCA, Leitrim Animal Welfare, and Animals in Need Donegal for its inaugural ATU Canines on Campus event, held on Monday, 26 August 2024.
The event hosted across three ATU campuses, Galway City, Dublin Road, Sligo and Donegal Letterkenny, not only raised crucial funds, but heightened awareness of the important work done by rescues and led to a notable increase in people reaching out to rescues and a significant spike in adoption inquiries and applications.
The event saw incredible support from the ATU community, including the President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, who attended with her dog, a golden retriever, Bella, along with other ATU staff members and Student’s Union representatives. Participants travelled from various counties to donate food, beds, and toys.
Dawn Divilly, Director of Operations at MADRA Dog Rescue, thanks everyone who participated and donated.
“We are incredibly grateful to the ATU for organising a dog walk fundraiser in support of MADRA, and other rescues. The event brought us together in a fun and meaningful way, while raising essential funds to help us continue our vital work looking after unwanted and neglected dogs.”
Sam O’Neill, the Chairperson of Galway SPCA says the event “not only helped raise much needed funds for our charity, but it also helped to raise awareness about the work that we are doing and the plight of abandoned and mistreated animals across the country.”
Megan Gaffney, Manager of Leitrim Animal Welfare Rescue says the rescue had a great time at the Sligo campus reconnecting with people and the dogs they adopted from them years ago, and that they experienced a surge of inquiries from Sligo people about dogs available for adoption since the start of the campaign.
Gitte McMullen, the Manager of Animals in Need Donegal, said the walk was a fantastic opportunity to meet supporters and their canine friends.
“Several people had adopted from us and we loved hearing how “our” fur babies have settled in. Doing events like this dog walk is a great way to involve the public and let people see the faces behind the rescue.”
The event coincided with National Dog Day and marked the first initiative of its kind led by a university in Ireland, setting a precedent for future collaborations between educational institutions and animal welfare organisations.
Photo caption: Roseanna Loftus, Salthill, with her dog Theo at the ATU Canines on Campus Dog Walk & Fundraiser, Galway City Campus, Dublin Road.
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland
Tel: +353 89 963 9559