Irish Blue Cross is back in Ballybrack

Neil Fetherstonhaugh

THE Southside-based Irish Blue Cross animal charity is back in Ballybrack providing care for animals, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The charity’s Mobile Veterinary Clinic has set up shop in the Southside suburb every Wednesday from 6pm.

A registered animal welfare charity that provides low cost veterinary care to pet owners in receipt of Government benefits, the Irish Blue Cross helps thousands of sick and injured pets every year.

The veterinary team also offers help and advice to current and future owners helping them to be responsible pet owners while their Mobile Clinics reach out to communities throughout Dublin.

The mobile veterinary clinics are on the road every week evening providing essential veterinary services for thousands of pets every year.
However, while they remained operational throughout the Covid-19 crisis, they had to temporarily suspend the Ballybrack service due to the pandemic.
But they are now back in the community with clinics in other locations across the Southside including Tallaght, Ballyfermot, Crumlin, and Walkinstown.
Paul Halpin of the Inchicore-based charity said they are seeing the effects similar to those after Christmas when people take on pets without weighing up the full financial costs and other responsibilities.

“It is similar to Christmas except that rather than dealing with a busy few weeks we are dealing with a very busy period of months,” Paul said.

“We are busier than ever before but we are glad to be back on the road in the local community.”

Paul revealed that the pandemic and Covid-19 restrictions had an effect on their resources which he described as stretched.

“Like many other charities we rely on the public for our funding and as face to face contacts are severely restricted we are finding it difficult to raise money through our usual fundraising activities, such as the Bark in the Park, for example.

“This was also to be our 75th anniversary, and we were due to have a year of celebratory events. Unfortunately Covid-19 has put a stop to all that.”

In the meantime, pet owners who want to attend a mobile clinic are encouraged to reserve a place by calling 01-416 3030 or emailing info@bluecross.ie

“We have to issue appointments for people to attend the mobile clinics and we do have some walks in but we only charge a nominal fee, which is still a lot less than going to a private vet,” Paul added.

Those attending the mobile clinics are urged to bring a medical card or proof of eligibility.