Group praises founder Monica who helps give pets new home

Group praises founder Monica who helps give pets new home

11 December 2019

A TEAM of animal lovers who run a pet rescue page on social media have come together to highlight its overwhelming success. 

The group have rehabilitated and re-homed hundreds of pets since the Lost/Found Pets South Down page went live on Facebook over two years ago.

They say that if it wasn’t for the tireless work of its founder Monica McDonald, from Ballynagross, outside Downpatrick, many pets would remain lost or uncared for. 

Never one to seek the limelight, Monica was eager to point out that the success of the page relies, not on anything that she has done, but on the great team of volunteers connected with the 

not-for-profit organisation. 

Monica says usually their work involves helping puppies or kittens, but they have also come to the rescue of an otter, a ferret, a handful of hamsters and even a snake.

It was Monica’s successful search for Herky, a feisty two year-old pug-cross, that heralded the beginning of the group.

The dog went missing in Church Street, Downpatrick, but was found and reunited with his owner three days later following a Facebook appeal.

Shortly after this, a dirty Samoyed dog arrived with Monica one evening. 

Monica said: “We called him Sony. He was very young and had been badly neglected. He had been kept in a confined space or a very small pen. Sony was very loving. All he wanted was to be loved and he thrived on attention. 

“He was a huge dog but very dirty. When we gave him a bath his coat came up lovely and white. We got him started with his first round of vaccinations and our followers stood by us financially.” 

Monica works closely with Corran Kennels, on the Tobercorran Road outside Downpatrick, who come to her for help if they need a puppy or dog re-homed, and Animal Connexions, based at Nutts Corner outside Belfast. 

Monica said: “Recently a litter of 16 kittens were about to be euthanised and we managed to be able to find homes for all of them within a short period of time.”

Monica added that she has her own account with the two branches of Castle Vets in Downpatrick and Castlewellan and pays for any necessary medical attention abandoned pets may need out of her own pocket. 

“Members of the public are so good. When we put up an appeal on the page that an animal requires surgery or medicine they phone the vets and give money and it comes off the bill. 

“I am so grateful to everyone. It can be tough going and running something like this takes a big chunk out of your life, but our team of volunteers are thankfully very enthusiastic.

“Anyone can follow the page. Just ask to join the group through the social 

media network and followers will be able to keep up-to-date with what we are doing.”

Lana King, from Burrenreagh, is a volunteer with the not-for-profit organisation. 

She said: “While the main aim of the page back in 2016 originally was to reunite owners with their pets, there are times when nobody comes looking for a little lost one and that’s when Monica goes beyond the call of duty and ensures they have a second chance with a new family. 

“She gets to know the potential owner, carries out a home check and follows it up. There is nothing she loves more than to hear how the pets she has helped to re-home or re-habilitate are doing.

Lana added: “Monica really is the back bone of Lost/Found Pets South Down and has gained the admiration and respect from anyone who comes into contact with her. 

“Nothing is ever too much bother for her. 

“She has devoted her life to animals and makes sure every pet that comes to her receives the very best of care. 

“Even though Monica suffers with a debilitating disease called lupus, she just gets up every morning and gets on with it. 

“Her sharp wit, sense of humour and contagious laugh lifts the spirits of people who are going through the heartbreak of having their pet go missing and reassures them because they know Monica will do everything she can to reunite them with their beloved pet.”

Lana added: “Monica helps those pets who have found themselves either lost, abandoned, abused or simply not having a loving home to call their own.”