Owning a pet

You can adopt a pet from trusted rescue organisations in Ireland. For example:

• The NSPCA (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
• Dog’s Trust

When you choose what organisation to adopt from, you should consider:

• The reputation of the organisation, for example, how good their services are
• The types of animals they rehome
• The adoption process they use

The process for adopting a pet

When you choose an organisation to adopt from, you often need to fill out an adoption form.

Then, you usually meet the pet you want to adopt.

Some organisations ask you for a home check, where they visit your home and make sure it is suitable for the pet.

If the organisation thinks you and your home are suitable, you sign the adoption paperwork and pay the adoption fees.

If the pet is registered and has paperwork, the organisation should give you this. For example, if a dog is over 4 months old it must have a dog licence.

If you are adopting a horse, make sure you have details of its horse identification.

What if my adoption application is refused?

It is important that rescue animals find an owner that can meet their needs. If your adoption application is refused by the organisation, it usually means you would not be a good match for the pet.

Some organisations will let you submit an adoption application in the future if your situation changes.

I found a stray pet, can I keep it?

If you find a lost pet, you must report it to your local authority. You should take it to a vet to check if they are microchipped and healthy. The pet may come from a loving home and could have owners searching for it.

For tips to help get a stray or lost pet back to their owner visit our pet care page.

Before you buy a pet, you should search for a responsible breeder. You can ask your vet if they know any local and suitable breeders in your area.

People who sell or supply 6 or more pet animals in a year must register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

You can check the register of sellers and suppliers of pet animals on gov.ie.

You should contact the breeder with any questions you have.

If you go to visit a pet, you can ask the breeder questions about the animal, such as:

• What age is the animal? Some young animals cannot leave their mothers until they are a certain age. For example, if it is a kitten, it should be at least 8 weeks old before you take it.
• Is the animal healthy? Has it been vaccinated and treated for worms? Puppies should get their first round of vaccinations at 6 to 9 weeks. You should not buy from a breeder that has not treated a pet for worms or fleas.
• Is it microchipped, if it’s a dog? This is required by law.
• Has it had any specific health screening tests for its breed? For example, a dog like the Cavalier King Charles can develop heart problems. A specific screening can check if a dog will have such problems in the future.
• What food has the animal been eating? If it is a kitten, they should be fully weaned onto solid foods at 8 weeks old.
• How old is the pet’s mother and how many litters has she had? It is against the law to breed a female dog more than 6 times in her life and during any period of 3 years.
• Does it have all necessary documents? For example:
• Microchipping documents
• A vet health report with details of the flea and worming treatments
• Parent health records

A good breeder will want their pets to go to a suitable home. This means that they may ask you questions, for example, about your living situation.

If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, you should organise a visit to the breeder’s property. This allows you to see where they raise the puppies. A suitable place for the puppies should be:

• Clean
• Warm
• Dry
• Safe

If you feel that there is something wrong with the breeder’s residence, you can contact the NSPCA.

You should also check the puppy for signs of illness. Signs of a healthy puppy include:

• Clear eyes with no redness or discharge
• A clear nose with no discharge
• Clear breathing with no coughing
• Clean ears with no obvious discharge or wax build up
• Healthy skin with no scabs or sores
• Shiny and soft fur with no scabs
• Actively moving without limping
• No visible ribs
• Dry bottom

All pet advertisements must include the:

• Seller or supplier registration number (if there is one)
• Animal’s age
• Microchip number, if it is a dog
• Animal’s country of origin

Online adverts for pets

It can be hard to tell if an online seller is a responsible breeder. Before you buy a pet you have seen online, you should always go and see them at the breeder’s property first.

You should ask them the questions above about the animals health, age and vaccinations.

You can also check the online ads to see if:

• The photos of the animal show their eyes open and clear. You should look out signs of poor welfare, for example, a puppy with a docked tail or clipped ears.
• It states that you can see the pet at the breeder’s property. You should not agree to meet them in a neutral location, like a car park.
• The seller is registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, if they sell or supply 6 or more pets in a year.
• They list a microchip number. They must do this, if they are selling a dog. You can check if the chip code is valid on europetnet.com.

If you are buying a puppy, the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group has a checklist to help you identify a trusted breeder.

Before you buy an exotic pet

If you are thinking about buying an unusual or exotic pet, make sure you research the breed first. Some exotic animals can have demanding needs. For example, reptiles may need a tank with specialised heat and light sources.

Here are some things to consider before you look into getting an exotic animal.

Ask someone with experience

Have you spoken to someone who already keeps the exotic pet you are interested in? You could also contact your local vet or groups for advice.

Food and environment

Have you researched the animal’s diet? It is important that you can buy the food they need easily.

Can you give them the right environment? For example, lighting, heating, humidity, and other needs to keep the pet healthy.

Life span and size

Do you know how long the pet will live for? Some exotic animals can live up to 50 years or more.

Do you know how big the animal will grow? For example, a boa constrictor can grow 12-14 feet.

Vets and if it doesn't work out

Is there a vet within reasonable distance who specialises in exotic pets?

Have you contacted your local rescue organisation to see if they rehome exotic pets?

Buying an exotic animal 

If you want to buy an exotic animal, you should buy them from an experienced seller or business.

You should also make sure that the animal you buy is healthy and does not have any signs of injury or disease.

Some exotic species may be covered by international regulations like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

If you want to buy an animal listed on CITES, you must ensure the animal is sourced legally and responsibly by having the correct:

• Import permits
• Export permits
• Certificates

You can search for the species name in the CITES species database to check if an animal is listed on CITES.

To learn more about what documents are needed for animals covered by CITES, visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Restricted dogs

Since October 2024, it is illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog. It is illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless you have a Certificate of Exemption. Certain other dog breeds are “restricted” but not illegal.

Rules for wildlife dealer

It is illegal to sell, purchase for resale, or possess some wild animals in Ireland unless you are a licensed wildlife dealer.

It is illegal to keep any wild animal’s eggs or spawn unless you are a licensed wildlife dealer. These rules are outlined in the Wildlife Act, 1976.

These protected species include:

• Badger
• Bat species
• Deer species
• Hare species
• Hedgehog
• Otter
• Pine Marten
• Red Squirrel
• Common newt
• Pygmy shrew
• Stoat
• Dolphin species
• Porpoise species
• Seal species
• Whale species
• Natterjack Toad
• Common frog
• Common lizard
• Marine turtle
• Freshwater crayfish
• Freshwater pearl mussel
• Kerry slug
• Basking Shark

If you suspect animal cruelty, you should report it to the:

You can also ring your local Garda station in emergencies.