Staff and volunteers at the Limerick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have secured a new permanent home after spending 25 years in temporary accommodation in caravans and portacabins without running water or toilet facilities.
The society hit its lowest ebb in 2003 when it was locked out of the prefab building it was using as an office in a city-centre car park. The office was boarded up by the owners of the car park following a dispute and the society was unable to get access to its files.
Despite the setback, society workers continued to investigate cases of animal cruelty in Limerick using mobile phones and working out of cars.
The LSPCA has now officially opened its new permanent home at Fr Russell Square, which was given to it by Limerick City Council for a nominal rent.
The premises, which had been derelict for several years and were infested with rats, have since been completely rebuilt to the highest standards. The refurbishment was carried out with the help of a legacy left to the society by a woman who had supported it over the years.
Carmel McCarthy, chairperson of the Limerick society, said great credit was due to the people who contributed to the effort to get the premises open.
"When we first saw the building, it really was in a terrible condition, but we had wonderful help from building contractors and from suppliers who donated some materials and it is now a very functional office."
The registered charity, which costs some €45,000 each year to operate, is run by two part-time employees and a small group of volunteers which makes up the committee.
The society recently secured a grant of €17,000 from the Department of Agriculture and fundraising is ongoing to keep an inspector and a vehicle on the road to investigate reports of cruelty.
With several high-profile cases of animal cruelty in the region in recent years, the LSPCA claims to have had more successful cruelty convictions in Limerick than any other area in Ireland.
As part of this week's opening, the society presented six gardaí with certificates and medals for their role in helping to alleviate animal cruelty and bringing successful prosecutions.