At Village Vets, we believe that pets are family. That’s why, in 2023, we partnered with Dublin Fire Brigade to introduce pet oxygen masks to fire stations across the city. These specially designed masks provide life-saving oxygen therapy to pets suffering from smoke inhalation or breathing difficulties.

And now, we know at least two beloved pets have been saved thanks to this initiative.

Firefighters to the Rescue – Biscuit’s Story

The latest rescue happened when firefighters from Dolphin’s Barn Fire Station responded to a house fire in Ballyfermot. Inside the smoke-filled home, they discovered a cat named Biscuit, unconscious from smoke inhalation.

Acting fast, Firefighter “Paw”amedic Carrick placed one of the pet oxygen masks over Biscuit’s nose and mouth, delivering vital oxygen. For ten tense minutes, Biscuit remained under their care, receiving oxygen therapy. Then, to everyone’s relief, Biscuit started to wake up—eventually snuggling into their relieved owner’s arms.

A budgie and a dog were also safely removed from the house, though they did not require oxygen therapy

.

Not the First Life Saved

Biscuit’s story is heartwarming, but it’s not the first time these masks have been used to save a pet in distress.

In September 2024, Dublin Fire Brigade responded to an emergency at the Grand Canal in Clondalkin, where a dog was losing the fight to stay afloat. Firefighters arrived in time to pull the dog from the water, but it was in distress and struggling to breathe.

Once again, firefighters reached for one of the pet oxygen masks donated by Village Vets. After administering oxygen, the dog slowly recovered, thanks to the quick actions of the fire crew and the life-saving equipment at their disposal.

Why Pet Oxygen Masks Matter

In emergencies like house fires and water rescues, time is critical. Smoke inhalation and oxygen deprivation can be fatal for pets, and traditional human oxygen masks simply don’t fit properly on animals.

Our pet oxygen masks are specially designed for cats, dogs, and other small animals, ensuring oxygen is delivered effectively when it’s needed most.

Currently, nine fire appliances across two districts are trialling these masks, with plans to expand their availability across Dublin in partnership with Dublin Fire Brigade.

Keeping Your Pets Safe in an Emergency

While Biscuit and the Clondalkin dog’s stories had happy endings, it’s always best to be prepared. Here are some tips for fire safety and emergency preparedness:

Create a Pet Emergency Plan – Know where your pet’s favourite hiding spots are in case you need to evacuate.

Display a Pet Alert Sticker – These stickers let firefighters know there are pets inside, helping them prioritise rescues.

Test Smoke Alarms Regularly – The sooner you detect a fire, the faster you can get your pets to safety.

Be Cautious Near Open Water – Even strong swimmers can struggle in unexpected currents or cold temperatures.

A Community That Cares

At Village Vets, we’re committed to supporting pet owners, emergency responders, and our wider community. Seeing these masks in action, saving both Biscuit and the Clondalkin dog, reminds us why this initiative is so important.

A huge thank you to Dublin Fire Brigade for their heroic work—these rescues prove that small changes can have a huge impact on pet safety in Dublin.

The post How Pet Oxygen Masks Have Now Saved Multiple Pets in Dublin appeared first on Village Vets.

Thank You for Trusting Us

Every wagging tail, gentle purr, and inquisitive look we encounter reminds us why we do what we do. Your trust in us to care for your furry friends is something we never take for granted. Whether it’s routine check-ups, emergency care, or simply sharing in the love you have for your pets, we’re proud to be your partner in ensuring their health and happiness.

This year, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming new faces into the Village Vets family and continuing to care for the loyal companions we’ve known for years. From vaccinations to dental care, from first cuddles with a new puppy or kitten to compassionate support during challenging times, every moment matters deeply to us.

Celebrating Pets and Their Families

The festive season is a time to reflect on the special bond we share with our pets. They bring joy and comfort to our lives in countless ways, and their well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

As part of our commitment to their health, we’re proud to offer comprehensive services, including:

• Preventative care through our Pet Health Plan, ensuring pets receive the routine treatments they need.
• Expert diagnostic and emergency services, because your pet’s health is our top priority.
• Specialised care for cats at our Just Cats Veterinary Clinic, where feline friends receive the gentle attention they deserve.
• Paw Prints Pet Cremation; Offering compassionate and dignified care to honour your cherished companions in their final moments.

It’s a privilege to support you in caring for your pets, and we’re here to help make every season, not just Christmas, safe, happy, and healthy for them.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we step into the New Year, we remain dedicated to providing the highest quality care for your pets. We’re excited to continue growing with our community, welcoming new clients, and supporting our loyal families. With new locations on the horizon and ongoing partnerships with organisations like UCD, our mission to deliver exceptional veterinary care is stronger than ever.

From Our Family to Yours

From everyone at Village Vets, we wish you and your pets a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. Thank you for making us part of your journey—we’re honoured to play a role in your pets’ lives. May your holidays be filled with love, warmth, and wagging tails.

If you need us over the festive season, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to provide support and care, whatever your needs may be.

Warmest wishes,
The Village Vets Team

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You’re invited to our open day event!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept 30th, from 1pm to 3pm, as we celebrate the grand reopening of our newly refurbished veterinary clinic in Dunshaughlin!

Come and join us for an afternoon of fun and frolics. We will show you around our new clinic and introduce you to our incredible team in Dunshaughlin. We’re planning an exciting day for adults, children, and, of course, our furry friends!

Step behind the scenes of our state-of-the-art facility. You will have the opportunity to ask our team any burning questions you may have!

There’ll be lots of FREE fun activities on the day, including face painting, a chance to experience our pet ambulance, a professional pet photographer who will turn your pet’s photo into a keyring, as well as tasty treats for our two-legged and four-legged friends!

We’ll have some special guests on the day, and you will be in with a chance to WIN one of our famous Pet Health Plans!

The post Village Vets Dunshaughlin Open Day appeared first on Village Vets.

The Value of Dog-Friendly Services:

Did you know that nearly 800,000 pets reside in 62% of Irish households? The pet industry plays a significant role in the Irish economy, contributing approximately €660m. With more and more people considering their dogs as part of the family, the demand for dog-friendly venues and accommodations is on the rise. Surveys indicate that a substantial percentage of participants would be happy to eat in dog-friendly places, and many would be more inclined to vacation in Ireland if dog-friendly accommodations were available. It’s time to normalise dogs outside the home and embrace their presence in various settings, including the workplace.

Enhancing Workplace Dynamics:

“Bringing your furry friend to work can be an excellent opportunity to interact with your coworkers in a whole new way,” says Charles Cosgrave, CEO of Village Vets. Dogs have a remarkable ability to break the ice and foster better communication and teamwork among colleagues. Imagine the positive impact on office morale when your furry companion sits beside your desk, spreading joy and creating memorable moments. Now, it’s time to pitch this idea to your employees or to your boss and convince them to embrace the spirit of National Dog Friendly Day.

Considerations Before Taking Your Dog to Work:

Before taking your beloved pet to the office, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost, ensure that your business is participating in the celebration of Dog Friendly Ireland Day. Inform your coworkers in advance that you will be taking your dog to work, as some people may have allergies or feel uncomfortable around dogs. It’s essential to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

Show Your Participation: 

To promote Dog Friendly Ireland Day and encourage others to join the celebration, we have created social media dog-friendly graphics. By displaying these graphics in your workplace or sharing them on your social media platforms, businesses can signal to their employees that they are participating in the event. These graphics serve as a visual reminder of the day and can inspire others to take their furry friends to work on June 23.

Click on the graphic of your choice to download and use it in your office and your social media channels. 

Instagram/Facebook post:

Story:

A4 poster:

Creating a Dog-Friendly Office Space:
It’s important to acknowledge that not all pets would enjoy coming to work, and some may find it stressful. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, consider the following tips when creating a dog-friendly office space:

1. Determine specific areas where dogs can roam and establish any rules they need to follow.
2. Encourage employees to bring dogs who enjoy being around people and other pups, but respect those who prefer to leave their pets at home.
3. Decide which dog breeds are allowed and set a reasonable limit on the number of furry friends in the office.
4. Consider the needs and comfort of your colleagues by surveying their opinions on having dogs in the workplace.
5. Provide appropriate chew toys for dogs, preferably ones that don’t make excessive noise.
6. Allow dogs to have familiar items from home, such as cozy beds or blankets.
7. Ensure that all doggy coworkers are well-trained in using designated potty areas and stick to their regular schedule.
8. Keep a good supply of poop bags available for easy clean-ups.
9. Ensure that office doors are secure, preventing any unintended escapes.
10. Provide fresh water

For more information on how to make your office dog-friendly, call one of their Village Vet clinics for advice.

The post Celebrate National Dog Friendly Day in Your Workplace appeared first on Village Vets.

Come & join us on Saturday December 3rd at 1-3pm, for an afternoon of fun & frolics. We will show you around our new clinic, and introduce you to our incredible team in Village Vets Bray. A Christmas experience not to be missed by furry friends and all the family!

Step behind the scenes of our state of the art facility. We’ll have expert talks with our veterinary team, & you’ll have the opportunity to ask the vet nurse any burning questions you may have!

There’ll be lots of free fun activities on the day including Santa Paws experience, face painting, a chance to take a photo in our pet ambulance, a colouring competition, as well as tasty treats for our 2-legged & 4-legged friends!

We’ll have some special guests on the day, and you will be in with a chance to WIN one of our famous Pet Health Plans!

Saturday, Decembert 3rd from 1-3pm.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Village Vets Bray
Beside Pettitt’s SuperValu
Unit 2 Southern Cross Rd
Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 N6W7

The post Santa Paws is coming to town! appeared first on Village Vets.

Don’t miss out! It’s going to be a great day and we’ve loads of fantastic things planned:

Includes FREE:

•  Face painting
•  Ask the Vet
•  Dog Bandanas
•  Refreshments for the whole family – furry and human
•  Children’s colouring competition
•  Pet Health Plan draw
•  Pet ambulance experience for the kiddies

And more!

Bring your whole family and celebrate with us. Admission on the day will be free and everyone is welcome.

We will be giving away not one, but two, 1years subscriptions for our Pet Health Plan!

It will be an outdoor event, but if the weather doesn’t play ball, we will still be able to go ahead indoors!

Spread the word and let everyone know about the event, we’re looking forward to meeting you all.

There will be familiar faces and some new ones too so you can get to know everyone.

Fun for all the family including your pet!

To find us please click here: https://bit.ly/3IommG4

We look forward to seeing you out there!

Love from the Village Vets Team XXX

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1. Philodendron (Panda Plant)

A common sight in many homes across the country (my Mother has three), Philodendron is actually toxic to cats, dogs and horses. When ingested, Philodendron can cause stomach irritation, swelling and difficulty swallowing. If these effects show no signs of calming thirty minutes after ingestion, phone your Vet immediately and describe your pet’s symptoms to them. Philodendron is certainly not the most harmful on our list, but is common enough to warrant its inclusion.

2. Jade Plant (Money Plant)

Ah, the Money Plant… Every home in Ireland has one for some reason, whether it’s due to a famous Late Late Show interview or some weird fad from the late nineties. While it’s believed to bring fortune to those with large, well looked after specimens in their homes, it can spell misfortune for cats and dogs. Aside from the usual irritations, ingesting a jade plant can literally cause depression in pets. Remove dead leaves quickly and make sure you keep it out of reach.

3. Sansevieria laurentii (Mother-In-Law’s Tongue)

Succulents are great, aren’t they? Basically indestructible, most succulents will take a lot of neglecting before they even think of shrivelling up and dying. Unfortunately, many succulents can be toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhoea in unsuspecting pets. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and, if left untreated, can spiral into organ failure and, in extreme cases, death. Keep succulents (and pets) safe by putting them in places that are hard to reach.

4. Chinese Evergreen

I think my Mother’s trying to tell me something, because every plant on this list she’s bought in bulk… The Chinese Evergreen is a beautiful and decorative addition to any home, but can cause many of the same symptoms seen here on this list in cats and dogs. Ingesting this plant can actually cause severe dehydration in pets as they will develop diarrhoea and begin to drool excessively. This can require an IV drip in severe cases and shouldn’t be ignored.

5. Aloe Vera

An absolute gem of a plant, the gel within Aloe’s blades can be used as a burn cream, hand cream, wound cream, engine degreaser, shampoo, conditioner and shaving cream. Thankfully, Aloe’s gel is considered edible by most Vets, however it’s the blades themselves that can cause stomach irritations, diarrhorea, vomiting and lethargy in both cats and dogs. Symptoms can pass on their own, but if you’re unsure of anything, and not just for Aloe Vera, you can always call your trusted Vet for advice.

With the above information in your already jam-packed arsenal of knowledge, you should be more than able to deal with any houseplant-related disasters. While there are plenty of cures for poisonings, there’s just no cure for a cat that has it out for a pot in particular; the only thing we can suggest is to use plastic instead of clay.

For now pet fans, we say farewell!

The post Toxic Houseplants appeared first on Village Vets.

For care and healthcare workers, the pandemic has placed them under huge psychological stress. Here at Village Vets, we wanted to launch an event that can help raise funds for vital services such as Pieta as well as offer a chance to everyone to walk in memory of lost family, friends and colleagues who have suffered from mental health issues.

While walking is a great form of exercise for both ourselves and our pets, getting outside in the fresh air has also been proven to boost our mental health, and we are looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible on the 21st.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE DAY?

To join Village Vets in supporting this excellent cause, we have an entry fee of €10 which goes straight to Pieta and insures a family and up to three dogs to take part in the event. Each dog there will also receive a complimentary bandana and dog treats on arrival. Each participant will also receive €20 off their next visit to Village Vets. Not only that, but anybody who registers will be entered into a draw and the winner will receive a Village Vets Pet Health Plan valued at €300 (1 years membership)

LOCATION

The walk will be taking place in the Phoenix Park at 11 am on Sunday the 21st of November. The meeting place for the walk is the Dublin Zoo car park. The walk will loop through much of Phoenix Park’s beautiful scenery, hopefully on one of the nicest days of the year.

REGISTRATION

To donate and take part in this years Wag ‘N’ Walk please click here.

We look forward to seeing you out there!

 Love from the Village Vets Team XXX

The post Join Village Vets for Unique Charity Dog Walk in Aid of Pieta House! appeared first on Village Vets.

Village Vets receives award for the first time

Village Vets has been named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies. This is the first time that a Veterinary practice has been recognised as a Best Managed Company. The awards programme is led by Deloitte Ireland, in association with Bank of Ireland. The company, which demonstrated superior business performance for the first year, was recognised at a virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday, 8 September. Village Vets has clinics based in Dublin and Co. Meath. 

25 companies have qualified for the first time this year. This year’s programme saw the highest number of new applicants in its thirteen-year history and culminated in a virtual symposium and awards ceremony this week. The winning companies represent 26 counties across the island of Ireland and come from a range of sectors. With this year’s new winners, there are now 139 companies that are recognised as Ireland’s Best Managed Companies. This network of companies has a combined turnover of €8.5 billion and employs a total of 40,000 people.

Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards programme promotes and recognises excellence in Irish/Northern Irish owned and managed companies and is the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers a business’ performance from every perspective. Entrants to the programme compete for the designation in a rigorous process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices in addition to the strategy, capability, innovation, culture and financial performance of their companies.

Commenting on the award, Charles Cosgrave, CEO, Village Vets said: “It is a huge honour for Village Vets to be recognised as a best managed company. Our teams have been outstanding over the last 18 months where we remained open as an essential service. They demonstrated immense resilience, dedication and leadership at a time when it was needed most. I’m so proud of all the team members in Village Vets and I am privileged to work with such a breadth of talent”

Anya Cummins, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme at Deloitte Ireland said: “This year, a record number of applications to the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards programme were received. The quality of the applicants demonstrated the extraordinarily high-quality businesses operating across the island of Ireland today. In a relentlessly challenging year, the winning companies displayed true bravery in how they adapted to change, with many innovating and some even accelerating their plans for their businesses.”

Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland and judging panel member commented: “This year’s winning companies had robust strategies in place prior to the pandemic, which enabled them to respond comprehensively to the changing situations they found themselves in. With no sector untouched by the impact of Covid-19, many companies remained committed to ensuring that they did not fall into the trap of doing things like they had always been done, just because that had worked in the past; in fact, many companies took the extraordinary challenge as an opportunity to develop and improve processes.

“The judges noted that, despite the risk of falling into crisis mode and focusing solely on the immediate challenges facing their businesses, the winning companies were adept at maintaining a long-term view of where their organisations were going and a strong clarity of purpose on what the business was trying to achieve, and why.”

Nikki Canavan, Senior Director, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking and judging panel member said: “Over the last number of years the companies in the Best Managed Companies network have shown huge strength in the face of disruption and uncertainty. This year in particular – a year that tested Irish businesses like never before – the judges noted the commitment, bravery, resilience and tenacity of the applicant companies.”

The members of this year’s judging panel were Frank Ryan, Chair of the Judging Panel; Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland; Nikki Canavan, Senior Director, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking; Kate Malone, Director of Human Resources, IMI; Feargal Mooney, Non-Executive Director, Meetingsbooker and Colm O’Reilly, CEO, The Business Post.

Ends

About Village Vets

Village Vets is a second generation family owned Veterinary practice with 15 clinics across Dublin, Meath and Wicklow. We are open 7 days a week providing Veterinary care service to domestic pets across a range of specialities as well as general practice care. We are Ireland’s largest veterinary employer of Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Nurses and is wholly Veterinary owned.

As well as providing Veterinary care services to the general public, Village Vets is also the sole provider of general practice training to UCD Veterinary Students, neuters up to one thousand pets a year for DSPCA and provides free veterinary care to the homeless on the street of Dublin via its Street team initiative.

We are dedicated to making lives better through excellence in Veterinary care.

About the Best Managed Companies Awards Ireland’s Best Managed Companies awards programme, led by Deloitte Ireland in association with Bank of Ireland, promotes and recognises excellence in Irish/Northern Irish owned and managed companies. It is the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers a business’ performance from every perspective. Entrants to the programme will compete for this designation in a rigorous process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices.

Programme sponsors are Bank of Ireland, the Irish Management Institute, the Business Post, the Family Business Network Ireland and Salesforce. For further information, visit www.deloittebestmanaged.ie.

International History of Best Managed Companies Awards Programme

The Best Managed Companies Awards Programme originated in Canada in 1993, where it has been run successfully ever since and is the country’s leading business awards programme. In addition to Ireland and Canada, the programme is currently run in a total of 37 countries including China, The US, Southeast Asia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, Mexico and Chile, with upcoming launches planned in three other countries.

About Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland’s purpose is to enable its customers, colleagues and communities to thrive. The Group is one of the largest financial services providers in Ireland, offering a wide range of banking and other financial services and operating Ireland’s largest retail branch network. In the UK, the Group has long-established partnerships with the Post Office and the AA providing consumer financial services. The Group’s international business is conducted by its Corporate Banking and Global Markets teams operating from Dublin, London, and offices in continental Europe and the United States.

About Deloitte

At Deloitte, we make an impact that matters for our clients, our people, our profession, and in the wider society by delivering the solutions and insights they need to address their most complex business challenges.

As the largest global professional services and consulting network, with over 312,000 professionals in more than 150 countries, we bring world-class capabilities and high-quality services to our clients.

In Ireland, Deloitte has approximately 3,000 people providing audit, tax, consulting, risk advisory and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Our people have the leadership capabilities, experience and insight to collaborate with clients so they can move forward with confidence.

In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte Ireland LLP. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press. Deloitte Ireland LLP is the Ireland affiliate of Deloitte NSE LLP, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”). DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL and Deloitte NSE LLP do not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

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With that in mind, there are signs you can watch for and steps you can take to ensure that the last of 2020 passes without a visit to us!

Fireworks…

Fireworks, for all intents and purposes, are the single greatest stressor for pets. Imagine you’re a dog who has no context of what fireworks are, now imagine a loud, disembodied BOOM going off outside your crate. You’d be scared too, we bet. But dogs aren’t the only animals affected; horses can spook, rabbits can panic, birds can literally have heart attacks, fish… well, fish aren’t too bothered.

Regardless, now is the time to start putting some thought into how you can mitigate the inevitable; whether you have access to a room with good sound dampening or if you can pad out your animal’s enclosure with noise reducing materials. Any efforts taken now are, put simply, better than doing nothing at all.

Visitors and Guests

Having friends and family over is a common staple of the festive period and there’s no doubt it will be a very distant affair, however it is expected that many will be travelling over the Christmas period to spend precious time with the ones they hold most dear. Yet for your pet this can be a strange time!

If you’re having family home that isn’t normally at home, we encourage you to introduce your pet slowly and gradually to these visitors. This is the best way to avoid a stand-off with what your pet may perceive to be a threat. This gradual introduction also ensures that your pet has the appropriate time to get used to a new person’s smell and sight. The logic behind a lot of these tips is quite simple, but it’s hard to argue with their effectiveness when put into practice!

Indoor/Outdoor

Well, it’s a matter of personal opinion, but with the weather gradually becoming colder we often recommend that pets are brought indoors during this time of year. Of course, this simply isn’t feasible for many families, so adapting your pet’s outdoor living quarters to colder climates is the best way to go.

For outdoor cats and dogs, make sure their houses are insulated. A weighted blanket or soft pet bed can make the world of difference on a chilly December night. A good rule of thumb is: “If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet.”

Sweets, Chocolates and Decorations

While a lot of the festivities surrounding Christmas and the New Year include gatherings and setting off fireworks; chocolates, sweets, crisps, drinks and decorations (of all things) are plentiful too. It is very easy for kids and adults alike to forget that cats and dogs are unable to eat chocolate or sugar-free sweets. Always be aware of the sweets you let fall on the ground as most pets will instantly lick them up or scurry off with them. Glitter, lights and decorations also pose a risk to your pet’s health, so if you see them running off with a bauble or tinsel be sure to get it off of them!

If you do own a pet and you’re hosting a socially-distant gathering, make sure that your furry companion is kept well away from the main thoroughfare of guests and revellers. A quiet back room is normally ideal for this purpose, as long as the animal has plenty of food and water and is regularly checked in on.

We hope these tips will help you and your pets have an especially joyous and safe Christmas this year! Don’t be afraid to get in touch if you have any queries regarding the festive period or are in need of some pet advice. We’re always on call to help!

From all of us here at Village Vets, Nollaig Shona duit!

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