Behind kennel doors: A day in the life of Galway’s dog wardens – ‘There are people for every dog, and a dog for every person’
It’s a typical morning at the Galway Dog Pound, where the city’s three dog wardens begin their daily routine. The sharp scent of the “fresh linen” air freshener in the empty reception area is strong and the simultaneous cacophony of barking from the back rooms is loud.
One of the wardens is in the back hosing down the floors, opening and closing metal kennel latches as he finishes up the morning duties. Another pulls up outside in a Galway City Council branded van returning from a public call, while the third settles in at the front desk, powering up the computer and reviewing the day’s schedule.
John Cooley, Tom Costello, and Adam Carton serve as Galway City’s three dog wardens. Based at the Galway Dog Pound in Ballybane, they spend their days monitoring the city and caring for pups who have yet to find their forever homes.
Adam Carton is the newest member of the team, expanding the wardens’ responsibility capacity, allowing them to focus on priority areas, such as East and West Galway, and to manage more tasks throughout the city.
Most days begin like this one – the standard set of chores, feeding, and cleaning.
From 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the pound opens its doors to the public, allowing visitors to meet dogs available for adoption. The remainder of the day is spent responding to complaints and calls about stray or disruptive dogs. During the summer months, when beaches enforce a strict “no dog” policy from May to September, wardens also patrol the shoreline.
Tom Costello notes that this year’s beach patrols have been easier than in the past, thanks to proactive campaigns and signage along the coast that clearly outline when dogs are permitted.
Galway City Council recently launched the ‘Love Your Dog, Love Your City’ campaign, which promotes responsible dog ownership. The initiative aims to educate dog owners on respecting public spaces and ensuring the health and safety of all dogs enjoying walks along the Prom. MADRA will also collaborate with the city council to offer educational workshops on dog ownership in local primary schools.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Alan Cheevers said: “This campaign is a fantastic reminder that loving your dog also means loving your city. Every dog owner has a role to play in keeping Galway clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. As the saying goes, ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ when your dog misbehaves. By cleaning up after our pets, we protect public health, support biodiversity, and show respect for our neighbours and shared spaces.”
A dog warden’s responsibilities extend far beyond enforcement. Each of the three wardens has personal experiences that make the role rewarding. For John Cooley, it was the day he watched his longest-resident terrier leave for a loving home after nine months at the pound, completing a remarkable turnaround.
“When he came in, he’d bite my hand off.” Mr. Cooley said.
“You couldn’t even catch him in the cell. Eventually when we were cleaning and feeding, we would drop a few treats,” as Mr. Cooley gestured to dropping something at the back of his heels, “and he would come closer and closer. Eventually you could rub him. The fright was gone out of him.”
“If you came in looking for a dog, I would have handed him to you, he was that quiet.”
The bond between wardens and dogs is strengthened by the time spent together and the effort required to help dogs acclimate to the new environment. Mr. Cooley explained that most dogs arrive scared, either because of past experiences or simply the stress of entering the pound.
Some dogs come to the pound due to unfortunate circumstances, such as the passing of family members or an inability to care for a beloved pet.
“It’s very hard at the door sometimes.” Tom Costello said.
“You do have to approach it like – you are doing this and just keep doing it. You can’t talk them out of it, and you can’t say it’s good or bad what they are doing. It’s hard when that happens.”
This was the case for Daisy, a lively Golden Retriever who was recently turned over to the pound when her owner had passed away. When interacting with her, Daisy’s excitement settles into contentment with every belly rub, a testament to the care she has received and her sweet demeanour.
The wardens have all experienced the joy of dog ownership firsthand through the dogs that have passed through the pound. They speak about their own pets with the same affection and delight most owners do. Ultimately, they want prospective dog owners to make healthy, responsible decisions.
Being part of the local authority, Mr Costello believes, is a major advantage. “That is the best advantage of it. Anything we need, we can get.” It means that effective campaigning for the well-being of pets throughout the city is strongly backed and can easily be widespread throughout.
However, all three wardens face challenges stemming from outdated perceptions about “the pound” that have lingered for decades.
“The whole thing about dogs here is people don’t want to give them to us because they think we will put them down. If there is anything we want to get out to the public, it’s that that does not happen.”
Dogs admitted to the pound receive vaccinations, veterinary checks, and microchips to ensure they are ready for their forever homes. Mr Cooley says these measures help rebuild public trust: “Once [a dog] comes in here, it might take a week for them to come around to you, but they will. There are dogs here that don’t want to go then.”
Adam Carton encourages people to “always look to adopt before buying a pup,” confident that “there will be a dog there that will suit them.” Education, support, and resources are available through Galway City Council and community initiatives.
“There are people for every dog, and a dog for every person.”