Page 4 - Assisi Paw Prints issue 95

A message from Nigel Mason (Former CEO)

As you read this foreword, I will have I normally give an update as to where
returned home to England to take on things are with the wider animal welfare
a new and exciting role with another issues in Northern Ireland. Assisi is
animal welfare charity. proud to be a member of the Northern
Ireland Companion Animal Welfare
It has been an interesting and Group (NICAWG) where a number of
challenging 3 years with Assisi and a prominent charities in the province
privilege to have worked with so many meet to discuss common issues and
dedicated people who are trying to do collaborate. Animal welfare legislation
their best for animals. has seen a resurgence of interest within
CONTACT DETAILS
the Assembly in recent times and the
Sadly, the timing of my departure could re-formation of the All-Party Group Assisi Animal Sanctuary
1 Old Bangor Road
not have been worse as we were put on Animal Welfare chaired by Peter
Conlig
on notice by the local authorities that Weir has been very active in gathering Newtownards
a noise complaint has been made and information from groups like NICAWG Co Down
upheld regarding dogs waking up in and others. A number of initiatives have BT23 7PU
the early morning and barking. Our been championed by the group such Charitable Company
kennels have been in situ for more than as Lucy’s Law, Finn’s Law, compulsory Limited by Guarantee
40 years (25 under the ownership of micro-chipping of cats and a register of Charity Reference
Number – NIC104594
Assisi) and barking dogs have not been animal cruelty offenders.
a problem. Tel: 02891 812622
DAERA have also instigated tighter Web: www.assisi-ni.org
Email: info@assisi-ni.org
However, so that Assisi can continue controls at ferry ports to tackle the
to help animals, we have to change the increased use of these ports for puppy Follow us on Facebook:
way in which we operate to mitigate farm trafficking, a consequence of a www.facebook.com/
AssisiAnimalSanctuary
the issue of noise and so an appeal huge increase in demand for puppies
for foster homes to come forward and during the 2 years of pandemic where
help by taking homeless dogs into their dog imports increased by 11%.
homes rather than stay in kennels, has
had a huge response from the public. Hopefully the current turmoil within
Hopefully this new model will allow the Northern Ireland Assembly will
Assisi to continue to help the many not deter all concerned about animal
hundreds of dogs that will need our welfare issues and further progress can
help going forward and indeed, living in be maintained.
a home, even if on a temporary basis
is always better than living in a kennel! Finally, may I thank you all for your
We have been completely
Of course, cats and small animals continuing support of Assisi and I wish
overwhelmed by the support we
will still be able to be taken into the you and Assisi well for the future.
have received from the public
sanctuary at Conlig for rehabilitation
following a noise complaint. The
and rehoming.
situation is ongoing but please
be assured that we are working
Whilst plans are at an advanced stage
hard to reach a solution and we
to rebuild the sanctuary, this incident
hope to have the dog unit up
may put the brakes on for a while but Nigel Mason
and running as normal in the very
hopefully in the long run Assisi will CEO Assisi Animal Sanctuary
near future. The cattery and small
finally be able to build the facilities that
animal unit remain unaffected.
it needs to deliver great animal welfare
into the future.

4 ISSUE NO. 95 | SPRING | SUMMER 2022