About Us

Mission Statement

MADRA is a volunteer-run organisation under the management of registered dog trainers Marina Fiddler and Tara Nic Dhiarmada.

We are dedicated to finding new homes for unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned dogs.

MADRA actively searches for permanent, quality homes for our dogs through advertisements in local newspapers, veterinary clinics, pet shops, and special events that provide exposure. The MADRA website and Facebook page provides current, up-to-date information on all our dogs and information on all our work.

We actively support, encourage and promote neutering of pet dogs as an ethical solution to the over-population and killing of dogs in Ireland. We also wish to improve the welfare of dogs through general education of the public and through the running of education programmes for children.

MADRA’s ultimate and overall aim is that all dogs have permanent, loving homes. We wish to educate members of the general public to have a responsible attitude towards dogs and their welfare. We wish to help create a world where no healthy, good-natured dogs are killed merely because they are considered to be a surplus number.

The Dogs

Our dogs come from a variety of sources; from the general public, from local authority pounds, veterinary clinics and dogs we rescue from cruel and abusive situations.

All our dogs are assessed on arrival and treated by a vet. They are vaccinated, wormed, de-flead, neutered and micro-chipped. All our dogs are temperament tested.

All our dogs are homed with a free consultation and training session with a qualified trainer. We offer a full back-up service should you encounter any difficulties with your new dog.

The New Owners

Our policy at MADRA is that the people are as important to us as the dogs and therefore it is vital to match the right dog with the right owner. In order to do this we much have as much information as we can about prospective owners. Potential adopters are required to fill out an Adoption Questionnaire so we can gather as much information as we can about the type of dog you require and how best we can match you and your lifestyle with a suitable dog.

The Shelter

Our shelter is run in Camus, Connemara, in the heart of the Gaeltacht. All our services are offered through Irish, if wanted or needed. Dogs are kept in purpose built, insulated kennels, each kennel with an infra-red lamp. Each kennel has an indoor area with an outside run. Dogs are walked individually, on lead, 3-4 times daily which enables them to keep their kennels clean and helps with future housetraining. There is 24 hour supervision at the kennels although viewing is by appointment only.

Marina Fiddler

Marina trained initially as a veterinary nurse in Dun Laoghaire Veterinary Hospital in 1984 and went on to gain her National Certificate in Agriculture in 1986. She completed the instructors’ course in dog training with Mary Owens of Fircroft Kennels from 1991 until 1994 when she then trained in dog behaviour with John Rogerson of The Northern Centre for Dog Behaviour in England. She has worked in animal welfare for over 20 years and has worked with both the ISPCA and the local authority dog pound. She has also worked extensively in both television and film with her own dogs and competed in agility and obedience trials. Since 1996 she has had her own dog boarding and training facility in Galway and is currently managing one of the dog pounds on behalf of Galway County Council.

Tara Nic Dhiarmada

Tara is a qualified teacher with an honours degree and a Higher Diploma in Education. In 2005 she graduated with honours from the world-renowned San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers.

Her ‘Dog’ background up to then had begun with walking dogs for local rescue groups in Ireland. Having moved to the USA she began fostering ‘problem dogs’ for rescue group Rocket Dog Rescue. (RDR) She then started rehabilitating and training ‘strong breeds’ under the instruction of RDR dog trainers. After being elected on to the board of directors in 2003 she became more involved in education by producing booklets and setting up training courses for new owners and fosterers. She was also involved in assessing and counselling potential new owners and fosterers. Tara also volunteered with the San Francisco SPCA where she continued to learn about running a successful shelter, preventing behaviour problems within animal shelters, assessing adoptions, counselling potential new owners and evaluating new dogs.

On returning to Ireland at the end of 2005 she met Marina who had been rescuing dogs for many years in Connemara and together they joined forces to start MADRA.

Paul Holmes

Paul Holmes set up Connemara Kennels in 1996 with Marina and together they now manage it together on behalf of MADRA.

Andrew Hough has been volunteering with MADRA for the last 18 months. Apart from taking charge of the kennels when Paul and Marina are away, Andrew keeps the MADRA stall up and running by collecting donations, setting up the stall, bringing Spot-the-Dog to various functions and pretty much anything else that needs doing!! His son Iarlais is a great dog walker too on days when he's off school. This is Andrew, Iarlais and Tyson, one of our shelter dogs.