Every Day, 24 hours a Day
From the first call about a dog at the pound to the moment it finds a forever home, everything in between is funded entirely by donations.
CommunityBuilding Trust, Not Drawing Lines
WAW's relationship with Traveller families goes back to the very beginning. It is built on respect, not charity.
Wicklow Animal Welfare began its life as Traveller Animal Welfare. That history matters and we are proud of it.
From the start, Fiona recognised that Traveller families and their animals were being failed by a system that judged rather than helped. Dogs and horses were seized rather than supported. Owners were penalised rather than educated. The animals suffered as a result.
WAW takes a different approach. Practical help, clear information and genuine respect, offered equally to every owner regardless of background or community.
The name changed as the work expanded. The commitment never did. Today we continue to work alongside Traveller families across Wicklow and beyond, providing access to subsidised neutering and microchipping, guidance on legal responsibilities and support when it is needed.
Real change in animal welfare comes from conversation, not condemnation.
RescueMeeting Dogs in the Pound
When a dog's time is running out, we step in.
Some of our animals are rescued, but more and more, we are seeing dogs being held in pounds across the country. Under Irish law, stray dogs brought to a pound must be held for five days before they can be legally rehomed. We monitor intakes at pounds in Wexford, Carlow/Kilkenny and Dublin and take dogs when we have the space and their time in the system is up.
We do not cherry-pick. Many of the dogs referred to us are older, anxious or coming from situations of serious neglect. They are the ones most likely to be passed over elsewhere. They are also, often, the ones who benefit most from the time and patience we can offer.
At any given time, Wicklow Animal Welfare cares for between 30 and 50 animals. In 2024, we rehomed 501 dogs and 2 horses. This was made possible by generous donations from people like you.
Working with our local vet, every dog and horse in our care is assessed, vaccinated, treated for kennel cough, wormed and treated for fleas and mange. All of it funded by donations, because we receive no government support of any kind.
For many animals, particularly those coming from puppy farm backgrounds, the physical care is the part we move through most quickly. What takes longer is everything else. A dog that has spent years in a cage may never have been handled gently. One from a neglect situation may need months before it can be approached without flinching.
We give every animal the space to recover at its own pace. Consistent routines, quiet kennels and patient handling. Some respond within weeks. Others take considerably longer. We do not put a clock on any of it.
Rehabilitation
Health First. Everything Else, Second.
Every animal that arrives receives a full health check, vaccinations and parasite treatment.
The Work That Happens Outside the Kennels
Neutering schemes, community outreach and national advocacy. Because rescue alone will never be enough.
Every dog that leaves Wicklow Animal Welfare over the age of six months is neutered and microchipped before they go. Beyond that, we run reduced-rate neutering and microchipping schemes throughout the year, prioritising the areas and breeds of greatest need.
In 2024, we focused specifically on XL Bully-type dogs facing tight legal deadlines. Many owners were unaware of the requirements or could not afford to meet them. Our schemes helped them comply and kept their dogs safe from seizure.
We also work alongside Traveller families and other communities across the county, providing practical support and clear information on animal welfare and legal responsibilities. The goal is always the same: fewer animals in crisis, approached with respect rather than judgement.
Prevention
Registered Charity in Ireland
Registered Charity in Ireland
Without You, None of This Happens
Wicklow Animal Welfare receives no government funding. Zero
Every rescued animal is funded entirely by donations.There is no single right way to help. Monthly giving, one-off donations, volunteering or simply sharing our posts: every contribution keeps the work going.
We welcome donations via Paypal, Revolut or text the word WAW to 50300 to donate €4*
👇 Click to Donate 👇
Wicklow Animal Welfare is a registered charity No. 20068943*100% of the text cost goes to Wicklow Animal Welfare.
Some providers apply VAT, which means a minimum of €3.26 will go to the charity.
Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions
A one-off donation is always welcome.
A monthly commitment changes how we operate.
When we know what is coming in each month, we can book vet appointments without checking the balance first. We can say yes to the next pound call without hesitation. We can plan a neutering clinic and know it will go ahead.
Even €10 a month makes a measurable difference.
Over a year, that covers parasite treatment, vaccines or emergency care for several animals.
Because every dog deserves a happy life
Every dog available for adoption is posted on our Instagram page, @wicklowanimalwelfare, with a full background, honest personality notes and a clear account of what they need. When you find a dog you connect with, send us a direct message explaining why you feel the match could work.
If it looks promising, we send you an adoption form. Once completed, we arrange a meet and greet at our Rathdrum centre, Monday to Friday between 11.30am and 1pm, by appointment only. A volunteer then visits your home. If everyone agrees the match is right, your dog goes home with you.
We sometimes say no. A dog placed in the wrong home is a dog that comes back and that doesn’t help anyone. It also confuses a dog who does not understand why his “forever” home was short lived.
Every dog that leaves us is neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and treated for kennel cough, fleas and mange. The adoption fee of €250 covers the vet care already provided, plus a minimum donation of €100 toward the next rescue in crisis.
RehomingThe Right Home. Not Just Any Home
Founder Fiona Gammell started rescuing dogs when she was just 12 years old, using her pocket money to pay for neighbours' dogs to be neutered in a bid to prevent unwanted litters flooding her local area. That early determination never left her.
Over the decades, she worked as a voluntary cruelty inspector, served as vice‑president of Wicklow SPCA, and studied both law and farming to better understand the systems – and the gaps – that leave so many animals at risk. This breadth of experience means WAW doesn't just understand animals; we understand the rural realities, the legislation loopholes, and the cultural and economic pressures that create Ireland's ongoing animal welfare crisis.
We know what it takes to make real, lasting change – and we're in it for the long haul.
Fiona’s Story
Over 50 Years helping animals