The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has launched its first-ever Flea and Worm Awareness campaign, which will run throughout April 2025.
The programme, in partnership with Chanelle Pharma, aims to highlight the importance of regular flea and worm treatments, while directly supporting the ISPCA's vital rescue and rehoming efforts.
Fleas and worms pose "serious health risks" to animals, which owners often underestimate, according to the charity.
Left untreated, these parasites can cause significant discomfort, illness, and even life-threatening conditions for dogs and cats.
Chanelle Pharma has donated three months of flea and worm treatment for all cats and dogs in care across all ISPCA shelters.
The results have given the charity confidence in endorsing these products as safe and effective solutions for parasite control.
ISPCA chairperson, Pete Wedderburn said: "Parasite control is important for all pets. A risk-benefit analysis is essential to ensure the best product is used for each individual pet, and ideally, a conversation with your own vet is the best way to ensure the safest approach."
As part of the campaign, an in-store promotion will be running across all major pet stores nationwide.
In April, for every pack of FleawayPlus and Wormaway purchased, Chanelle Pharma will donate 50c to the ISPCA, helping to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and the responsible rehoming of thousands of animals in need.
The ISPCA's head of animal welfare, Denise McCausland believes that treatments for fleas and worms are "crucial for pets".
"This initiative not only educates pet owners on the importance of parasite control but also provides much-needed funding to support our work in protecting vulnerable animals," McCausland said.
"Many of the rescued animals brought into our centres are suffering from parasite infestation, leading to malnutrition, mange, anaemia, and often severe gastrointestinal issues.
"Flea bites will cause your pet to itch a lot causing skin irritation. Dogs and cats can get ear mites, that live in your pet's ears causing itching and infection," she added.