2025 marked two decades since MADRA began rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned and unwanted dogs. Reflecting on this milestone, our co-founder and Chairperson, Marina Fiddler, shares her thoughts on the challenges and triumphs of the past 20 years:

“As we welcome the new year of 2025, still reeling from the unexpected intake of 13 extra abandoned and homeless dogs over the festive season, I’m flooded with memories of MADRA’s early days.

In 2005, when MADRA first began, the kill-rate in local authority pounds was devastatingly high—averaging 85%. An appalling 16,546 dogs were put to sleep annually. It’s hard to believe this was once the norm, but these heartbreaking statistics fueled our determination to act.

At the time, myself and Tara were both working with dogs and people would often come to us with stray dogs. We were witnessing firsthand the tragic outcomes of neglect, abandonment, and overbreeding and our boarding kennels quickly became a refuge for dogs who had been failed by humans. With a small but passionate team, we established MADRA Dog Rescue, focusing on saving dogs from the Galway and Mayo pounds. In our first year, we managed to rehome 38 dogs—a modest yet significant start.

Since then, there has been immense progress. In 2023, the number of dogs euthanised in Irish pounds fell to 596—a testament to the tireless efforts of rescue organisations, collaborative partnerships with dog wardens and local authorities, and changing societal attitudes toward animal welfare.

Yet, while the kill-rate has decreased, the number of unwanted dogs remains alarmingly high. Twenty years on, we are dealing with the exact. same. issues: abuse, neglect, abandonment, ‘accidental’ litters, greyhounds past their sell-by date and people unprepared for the responsibilities of dog ownership. These challenges remind us why MADRA and similar rescues are still desperately needed.

Twenty years of addressing these issues is not something to celebrate. But the strong and compassionate community we’ve built—a dedicated team of supporters, volunteers, and staff—is a source of immense pride. Though it can feel disheartening to see these problems continue, the 10,000+ dogs we’ve saved and rehomed over the years inspire us to keep going.

Each one of you—our staff, volunteers, donors, adopters, and supporters—has played a vital role in our journey. However small you feel your contribution may be, it matters deeply to us and is sincerely appreciated.

As we reflect on two decades of rescuing dogs, we are also looking ahead. Our vision for 2025 and beyond focuses on prevention. Through initiatives like our ‘Talking Dog’ education programme, Millie’s Fund neutering scheme, and advocacy efforts—such as the Homeless Dog Census and our participation in the Department of Rural & Community Development’s Dog Control Steering Group—we aim to address the root causes of these issues.

This year, we’ll celebrate the lives we’ve transformed, the remarkable people who’ve made MADRA what it is today, and the incredible supporters who made it all possible—whether by adopting, fostering, donating, or simply engaging with our mission. Together, we’ll continue working toward a future where every dog has a loving home.”