Shaping a Kinder Future for Our Pets: Why the New Irish Animal Welfare Strategy Matters
Thursday 27th, November 2025
As a community dedicated to honouring and remembering our beloved animal companions, we are deeply invested in how animals are treated throughout their lives. The launch of Ireland's public consultation for the Animal Welfare Strategy 2026–2030 is a significant moment for anyone who cares about pets, animal rights, and responsible ownership.
This new strategy will shape national animal welfare policy for years to come - and pet owners now have a unique opportunity to influence those decisions.
Ireland has opened a six-week public consultation to gather views from pet owners, animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, farmers, and members of the public. The aim is to create a modern, compassionate Animal Welfare Strategy that reflects the needs of animals in today's society.
Your insights and experiences can directly help shape how the Government protects pets, supports animal welfare groups, and enforces welfare standards.
This strategy places a major focus on improving the lives of pets and companion animals. Issues such as responsible dog ownership, pet behaviour, microchipping, and access to veterinary care are expected to be key themes. For pet lovers, this is an opportunity to push for higher standards of protection and wellbeing.
Animal rescue centres and welfare organisations rely heavily on stable funding. The new strategy aims to maintain strong financial support for these groups, helping them provide essential care, rehoming services, and community education. Better-funded shelters mean better outcomes for vulnerable animals.
Stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws - including dog control, prevention of neglect, and protection against cruelty - will likely form a core part of the new strategy. Consistent enforcement ensures pets receive the care, respect, and dignity they deserve.
The strategy recognises that animal wellbeing, human health, and environmental safety are closely linked. This compassionate, modern approach reflects the way many of us view our pets: as cherished members of the family whose wellbeing affects our own.
Your experiences and opinions can help shape real policy change. Even a short submission can highlight important issues such as:
The consultation closes on 2nd of January 2026, and submissions can be made by email or post.
Further details on how to have a say can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/minister-heydon-opens-public-consultation-on-development-of-new-animal-welfare-strategy-2026-2030/
RIP Companion exists to celebrate and honour the lives of the pets who shaped our world. Supporting stronger animal welfare standards is at the heart of that mission. By encouraging our community to participate in this consultation, we help build a kinder future for animals - one where every life is valued, protected, and respected.
Whether you're remembering a beloved pet or supporting the well being of animals today, your voice can make a meaningful difference.
This new strategy will shape national animal welfare policy for years to come - and pet owners now have a unique opportunity to influence those decisions.
What the Animal Welfare Consultation Is About
Ireland has opened a six-week public consultation to gather views from pet owners, animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, farmers, and members of the public. The aim is to create a modern, compassionate Animal Welfare Strategy that reflects the needs of animals in today's society.
Your insights and experiences can directly help shape how the Government protects pets, supports animal welfare groups, and enforces welfare standards.
Why This Matters to Pet Owners and Animal Welfare Advocates
1. Stronger Focus on Companion Animals
This strategy places a major focus on improving the lives of pets and companion animals. Issues such as responsible dog ownership, pet behaviour, microchipping, and access to veterinary care are expected to be key themes. For pet lovers, this is an opportunity to push for higher standards of protection and wellbeing.
2. Continued Support for Animal Welfare Charities
Animal rescue centres and welfare organisations rely heavily on stable funding. The new strategy aims to maintain strong financial support for these groups, helping them provide essential care, rehoming services, and community education. Better-funded shelters mean better outcomes for vulnerable animals.
3. Improved Animal Welfare Laws and Enforcement
Stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws - including dog control, prevention of neglect, and protection against cruelty - will likely form a core part of the new strategy. Consistent enforcement ensures pets receive the care, respect, and dignity they deserve.
4. A Holistic "One Health, One Welfare" Approach
The strategy recognises that animal wellbeing, human health, and environmental safety are closely linked. This compassionate, modern approach reflects the way many of us view our pets: as cherished members of the family whose wellbeing affects our own.
Why You Should Take Part in the Consultation
Your experiences and opinions can help shape real policy change. Even a short submission can highlight important issues such as:
- access to affordable veterinary care
- support for grieving pet owners
- responsible pet ownership and behaviour education
- humane end-of-life support for animals
- funding for rescue centres and animal shelters
- protection for vulnerable or mistreated animals
The consultation closes on 2nd of January 2026, and submissions can be made by email or post.
Further details on how to have a say can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/minister-heydon-opens-public-consultation-on-development-of-new-animal-welfare-strategy-2026-2030/
How This Aligns With RIP Companion's Mission
RIP Companion exists to celebrate and honour the lives of the pets who shaped our world. Supporting stronger animal welfare standards is at the heart of that mission. By encouraging our community to participate in this consultation, we help build a kinder future for animals - one where every life is valued, protected, and respected.
Whether you're remembering a beloved pet or supporting the well being of animals today, your voice can make a meaningful difference.