In this Interview, I talk to Kelly Mellerick of My Lovely Horse, Cork – who are another wonderful animal rescue centre.  Kelly has been involved in this for a long time and here she shares her insight into what it’s like, seeing things first hand that most of us could not even imagine:

My first question is about you – and the people that work within your Centre – you guys see what no one should – you see animals suffering daily, you live in a reality that is most of our worst nightmares.. how do you cope with doing what you do? Does it affect your health – or your mentality?

Being a volunteer with My Lovely Horse Rescue, is as good as another full time job! The phone is constantly going, being it an update from a fosterer or adopter to a call from the Gardai or a member of the public looking for assistance.

It can be exhausting, especially if a call comes in the nighttime or the weekends and you know that the authorities apart from the Gardai are not available. When a severe case, we must act.

When a horse or pony needs around the clock care if sick or if a bottle fed foal, the alarm must be set to wake in the night. This can be tough going when you must attend your own job the following morning.

Stress can consume you sometimes, it is the inevitable.

Can you share with us – the worst case of animal cruelty, or neglect that will stay with you forever?

Trudy was a 2 year old filly we received a call about in November 2019. The Gardai contacted us have been alerted to her behind gorse off a green on Upper Fairhill. We asked should we bring the horsebox, the Gardai advised they did not think she was going to make it, so we attended with our vet John Hyde.

The sight we came across will haunt me forever. We lit up our torches on our phones to see our way through the gorse and bushes.

When we approached, Trudy lifter her head and whinnied. I got on my knees beside her emaciated little body and cried. She was burnt on her muzzle and her legs. She was marked all over which looked to be from a sulky car. She had relatively new shoes on all 4 of her tiny feet. A stack of dung at her rear showed she had not stood for quite some time.

Our vet duely put her to sleep. The Gardai then and ourselves recorded all of the wounds on her body. The Gardai were also shocked at the suffering she went through.

I refer to everyone in rescue, as “Earth Angels” – because you all are. Selflessly helping these animals, working all hours and always being ready to help. Do you ever stop and think of all the amazing work you do – and what an incredible person you are for doing so? Modesty doesn’t belong here – so please answer freely!

There is an inner drive that I’m not sure where it comes from, that keeps you going. When that call comes in from Tipperary, Limerick or any county in Ireland and it needs to be overseen as a matter of emergency, then you simply have to turn to.

The love for the animals takes over, the want to stop their suffering drives you on.

Working with a team like the MLHR Cork team is the back bone you need. We pull together and unite for the animals and everybody does their bit.

The rewards to see an animal safe, fed and pain free is what it is about. We have cried lots but through team comradery we have also laughed and loved a lot together.

Do you fear for the future of Irish animals? It seems to be getting worse with no end in sight, despite having some of the strictest animal welfare laws in Europe – judges are just not giving the apt punishments and police are limited in their capabilities. Do you see ever see things getting better?

At the moment, there is no end in sight. The flaunting of the laws introduced by the Animal Health & Welfare Act, by society is widespread.

Animals kept on lands not suitable for their needs. Children able to purchase a pony for as little as a packet of cigarettes is beyond comprehensible and the councils need to act more especially in the cases of the urban horse problem.

MLHR are calling for a Dedicated Animal Welfare Unit run by the Gardai for Ireland. Whilst the Gardai have been good to assist in seizures under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, it still falls back to rescues to assist them. The costs immediately fall on the Charity once the animal is taken in to their care.

How do you think Ireland compares with the likes of the UK – who to me – seems to deal a lot better with animal welfare control..

While we have bodies like the ISPCA & The Dept of Agriculture, they are also limited in their capacity to seize animals. We as a nation cry out for more seizures and prosecutions, the question must be asked, where are the animals to go? Favour is made to try work with the animals on site as opposed to seizures, which is not always the best answer for the animal in question.

Other than seeing these animals go onto have amazing lives once safe and well – what would you say is the most rewarding part of what you do?

When you have had a very sick horse and weeks have been spent in trying to make them well and they get turned out to the paddock for the first time, this would make your heart soar.

When they gallop and kick and buck with contentment, it makes for the best feeling in the world.

Another is when you have a horse or pony shaking with pure terror on arrival. This can take months of gentle approach to win them around. When you finally do, it is an amazing experience to feel.

I would imagine it is incredibly hard not to form bonds and love with these animals you care so much for – often – animal rescuers are the first point of contact that show love and kindness to so many of them – do you think saying goodbye to that animal is as hard on them, as it is for you, when the move onto new homes?

We have had some characters in the past, when it comes for their time to leave a tinge of sadness does surround it but ultimately, when that animal has been chosen by their very own human and you see the excitement from everybody to have them as part of their family, that makes it all worthwhile.

What advice would you give to anyone who is looking to get involved with an animal rescue center such as yours? Is there any advice you wish you’d been given before you started?

You cannot save them all, try as you might, unfortunately there are times when you lose the battle.

Humans will be your biggest problem in the neglect of animals. This can be very hard to comprehend and steel yourself to.

It can also be very dangerous, consideration always has to be made to situations you are called to. It is always wise to have the Gardai attend with you.

Finally – has you ever rescued an animal that you just couldn’t let get away and adopted yourself?

Yes, I have failed twice as a fosterer. 10 years ago we made Gypsy officially part of our family after fostering her as a puppy from another rescue.

And then again in March 2020, we fostered Sadie for MLHR but could not give her back when like Cinderella she became the shoe that fits, having bonded so well with Gypsy and being the best little girl around the house and on her walks.