In 2026, animal welfare groups in Ireland are set to receive record government funding; however, a Clare-based charity, Burren Animal Rescue, has reported its grant has been cut by half compared to previous years. This significant reduction is causing challenges for the charity in maintaining its services.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has allocated a total of €81,975 under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme to support four animal welfare organizations across County Clare. Despite the overall funding increase, the uneven distribution has raised concerns among some local charities about their ability to sustain operations.