About KLAWS
KLAWS was founded in 2006 by a group of animal loving volunteers in Kenmare, Co. Kerry. The area in which KLAWS operates has since expanded to include the Iveragh Peninsula and northern parts of the Beara Peninsula. KLAWS achieved registered charity status in June 2017, and continues to grow. Sadly, this growth is to meet the demands of an increasingly large number of abandoned animals in our community.
In 2022, KLAWS rehomed 123 dogs and 165 cats who had been abandoned, lost, or were simply no longer wanted. Some of these animals are farm dogs or cats that have grown too old to work; in addition to litters of kittens and puppies that occur as a result of a reluctance to neuter working animals. All of these animals received the necessary medical attention and were adopted out to new loving and safe homes.
KLAWS works closely with other rescues to help find homes for our rescue animals, and we also rehome to the UK and Continental Europe.
KLAWS is staffed entirely by volunteers, and every cent raised goes to support the care and welfare of companion animals. To raise funds, we also operate a charity shop in the SuperValu Shopping Centre in Kenmare.
Our charity's objective is to:
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Provide treatment for animals that are sick and injured and in need of rehabilitation.
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Find permanent homes for rescue animals in Ireland and, where necessary, overseas.
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Neuter all dogs and cats coming into our care, if at all possible.
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Promote the benefits of neutering to the local community.
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Operate a trap, neuter, release program for feral cat colonies, which are problematic in our local communities, and thereby combat feline viruses.
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Microchip all dogs coming into our care.
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Use our knowledge of the local community's pet population to help in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
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Educate the pet-owning community, especially children, about responsible pet ownership.
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Increase awareness of animal welfare issues generally within the local community.