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ARAN is seventeen years fighting animal abuse on a national level. Way back when the group was first formed, there
 was a promise made to the animals that we hear their cries and we are coming to help. Since then, we have being an outspoken voice for animals on almost every issue possible and have grown into a hugely respected and vibrant voice for the animals. When word broke amongst reputable Irish animal rescue groups that Dunnes Stores were no longer accepting store fundraisers for these charities we were not going to sit back and let this go unnoticed without doing something to help. Outside of signing petitions and calling the store for comment we organised a gathering of caring people to bring the message directly to where the decisions are made - their head office. Recently a crowd of supporters gathered with rescued dogs calling on the supermarket giant to reinstate store fundraising and to at least afford us the opportunity to meet and discuss the very reasons for the ban which has literally pulled the carpet from underneath the many dedicated and over-stretched animal rescue groups who have long relied on such funding. Prior to when our demonstration started, news was breaking on radio stations across the nation about our demonstration, online news websites were also covering the story – helping to generate further public awareness for the issue and of course it also enabled us to get the plight of abused animals back into the public spotlight. During the demonstration we chanted outside of their head office before marching onto their store on George's Street. Whilst the demonstration was going on, supporters were politely calling Dunnes Stores to register their concern with their fundraising ban. To date Dunnes Stores has not responded to any emails from groups, members of the public or indeed the media. ARAN would urge Dunnes Stores to meet with us and other concerned animal groups to at least discuss the issue so that both parties know going forward know what the situation is, but for now we are literally out in the cold with the very animals who need our help. Watch the video of the demonstration, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0dZxsRjsGU.
ARAN would like to thank the people that made it along today, the groups that sent in supportive messages, the media that covered the story. We would also like to thank Maureen O'Malley from Mayo Cat Rescue for traveling all the way from Mayo to show her support and we would like to thank those who travelled from Kildare and beyond. It proves just one hour of your time can make a huge difference.
We cannot overly state how important your support is right now in the fight to end animal abuse. Whilst we know the job at hand is a long one and in many ways we may not live to see an end to much of the abuse. But lack of action or just leaving the fight to those currently active will be detrimental to the cause of fighting cruelty to animals and animal injustice. ARAN is making an appeal to people who care, and there is many, to please commit, right now, to making 2013 the year you attend more of our demonstrations, or if not ours, then another group's, but please do something. We will not get very far with the will of a few. Please re-commit to doing more than you have ever done this year to bring animals more peace and comfort. We very much appreciate and value the support of our members, supporters and campaigners who back and support our work, without you there would be no ARAN. But thankfully we are an ever expanding group of kind people.
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ARAN URGES DUNNES STORES TO REINSTATE ANIMAL CHARITY FUNDRAISNG
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