Monday 18th November 2024: The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the leading animal welfare organisation in Ireland, has issued a Manifesto for Animals ahead of the General Election, urging the public to make their voices count for animal welfare. The manifesto outlines key actions needed to advance animal welfare in Ireland.
With the election fast approaching taking place on Friday 29th November 2024, the ISPCA is urging voters to select the candidates who will commit to better protection for animals in Ireland. As part of its campaign, the ISPCA has released a Manifesto for Animals, asking the public to vote for the candidate they believe will stand up for animals in the next Government.
ISPCA-Manifesto2024The ISPCA is calling on the public to visit https://ispca.ie/ge2024/ to have their say on what they believe the Government could and should be doing better. If you agree more needs to be done about animal welfare, the ISPCA is calling for animal lovers everywhere to complete the survey and share the manifesto to make sure that the welfare of animals in Ireland is of importance to all members of the next Government.
ISPCA Chairperson, Dr Pete Wedderburn said:
“As candidates come to your door, ask them where they stand on animal welfare. Our Manifesto for Animals calls for urgent changes, from ending live exports to enforcing stronger penalties for animal offenders. Every single voice counts and by voting with animals in mind, we can push for policies that create real change in Ireland.”
What You Can Do to Support Animal Welfare this General Election:
01. Speak Up When Candidates Canvass
When politicians ask for your vote, ask them if they support the ISPCA’s Manifesto for Animals, available at https://ispca.ie/ge2024/. Here are some key questions to raise with candidates:
- What actions will you take to improve animal welfare in Ireland?
- Would you support stricter regulations on dog breeding in Ireland and more robust enforcement the Dog Breeding Establishment (DBE) Act 2010?
- Would you advocate for mandatory animal welfare modules to be taught in schools?
- Do you support stronger penalties for offences and strict enforcement of animal welfare laws?
- What is your stance on blood sports, such as fox hunting and hare coursing?
- Will you support a phase-out of cages for farmed animals like laying hens?
- Do you support a ban on live exports to countries with lower animal welfare standards?
- Do you support increased funding for animal welfare organisations?
2. Share the ISPCA Manifesto on your Social Media pages
Use hashtags like #GE2024, #ISPCAManifesto #VoteForAnimals, #ISPCA, #EndCruelty, to help amplify our message. Encourage friends and family to do the same and raise awareness about the need for a stronger animal welfare focus.
Dr Wedderburn added:
“While we’ve seen positive steps like banning wild animals in circuses and phasing out fur farming in Ireland, much remains to be done. Stronger regulations and a commitment to funding are critical if Ireland is to become a leader in animal welfare.”
The ISPCA’s vision is to end cruelty to animals in Ireland by preventing animal abuse and to ensure that animals enjoy a good quality of life, but we need public support to keep animal welfare at the forefront of the political agenda.
To support the ISPCA, download the Manifesto for Animals and stand with the ISPCA against animal cruelty. If you can, please make a kind donation to support our ongoing work, caring for Ireland’s most cruelly treated, neglected and abused animals: https://ispca.ie/donations/
