Dogs Trust has issued an urgent appeal for members of the public to foster or adopt a puppy.
The charity has taken in eight 10-day-old puppies who require round the clock care.
Dogs Trust has also taken in a further 46 puppies, bringing the total intake of puppies to 54 in less than three weeks, as the unwanted dog crisis in Ireland deepens.
They've received over 2,100 surrender requests since January - a 33% increase on last year's total figures.
They're urging people to visit their website or drop into their rehoming centre in Dublin.
Your help is URGENTLY needed! 54 puppies have come into our care in the past 3 weeks alone, so we desperately need foster homes. We're completely full & receiving more requests to take in vulnerable dogs daily.
If you could foster a puppy, please visit https://t.co/7Wzctasvga pic.twitter.com/kpsxc5fiHj— Dogs Trust Ireland (@DogsTrust_IE) October 21, 2022
Maciej Trojanowicz, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland says "We also have an overwhelming list of dogs waiting to come into our care from local authority dog pounds.
"While we would love to be able to help every single dog we are asked to, sadly, we just don’t have the kennel space to do so. That’s why we are urgently appealing for foster homes, so we can help as many dogs as possible."
"People who foster are often asked if it’s hard to say goodbye to the dog they have cared for. As a fosterer myself, I can tell you first-hand that the feeling of knowing the dog is going to a family who will love them, far outweighs the temporary sadness."
A four-week-old puppy who is being hand reared in Dogs Trust Ireland. 20/10/2022 Photograph: ©Fran Veale 
