The West Cork Animal Welfare Group was founded in May 1999 in response to a desperate need to help unwanted, abandoned, neglected and abused animals in West Cork.

We formed a Limited Company and obtained Charitable status in 2001 and the group is still run today by a few dedicated individuals, many of whom were involved in setting up the charity. Any funds raised and donated go directly to the upkeep of the animals in our care.  We fundraise throughout the year with various events and market stalls to keep the rescue running.  We also receive a grant from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Our present facilities near Rosscarbery in County Cork were purpose built in 1995 and can accommodate up to 50 dogs and puppies. We re-home an average of 360 dogs and puppies a year from our kennels and many more that we don’t have space for in the kennels via our website. Although we don’t have purpose built facilities for cats we care for a few at our rescue centre but most of our cats and kittens are looked after by fosterers who live locally.

Our aim is

“To promote and encourage the welfare and protection of animals.”



We hope to do this by:

• providing shelter and treatment for neglected, abandoned, unwanted and abused animals until they are ready to be re-homed
• promoting the benefits of neutering and spaying
• attending schools, colleges and other organisations to educate and advise
• promoting the benefits of vaccination and regular worming to reduce the spread of disease
• liaising with veterinary surgeons, councils, Gardai, other welfare organisations and official bodies
• investigating reports of cruelty with the co-operation of the Gardaí

We have a non-destruction policy and no animal is put down unless incurably sick. Every animal in our care is provided with the necessary treatment and is sheltered until fit enough to be re-homed. We have a few long term dogs who are difficult to re-home and to help with the ongoing expenses of these dogs we have a sponsorship scheme.

All adult dogs and cats are neutered, vaccinated and wormed before they are re-homed, puppies and kittens who are too young to be neutered are vaccinated and wormed before being re-homed.