Irelands only drive in cinema, Movie Junction, Carrigtwohill are encouraging movie lovers to take their pets to the cinema this Halloween midterm in a bid to raise money for four Cork animal welfare organisations. From Monday October 29th to Sunday November 4th proceeds of ticket sales for Madagascar 3, Hotel Transylvania, Taken 2 and Sinister will go to raise vital funds for Mallow Animal Rescue, Arc Animal Rescue, Cobh, Community Cats Network (Cork city and county), and Cork Cat Action Trust.
Movie Junction decided to help the animal rescues in a bid to help pay mounting vet bills and running costs which are posing a severe threat to their future. The four branches have rescued and re-homed more than 300 animals and neutered over 1000 cats and dogs this year alone. The campaign also ties in with raising awareness for the safety of animals at Halloween when rescues become overcrowded with animals who are presented with burns from bonfires and fireworks and become lost due to fright.
Throughout the midterm break people can purchase special tickets for viewings of the four most popular movies with all proceeds going towards the amazing work carried out by volunteers at each of the rescues. Family tickets will sell for €25, with €10 from each ticket going to the rescues. A limited number of ticket holders can also avail of a free ice-cream donated from local business Happy Days ice-cream at selected viewings throughout the week.
Speaking of the fundraising initiative, Ellie Redmond, Movie Junction said, “We decided to help these four animal rescues after becoming aware of the pressure they are under to keep their services running. We are expecting lots of children to visit the movies during the midterm, in particular to see Madagascar 3 which is all about animals so this is the perfect opportunity to promote animal welfare among children and also raise vital funds.”
She continued, “The rescues are under extra strain at this time of year so we hope to raise awareness of their outstanding work while also highlighting the extra need to keep pets indoors and away from fireworks and bonfires this Halloween. We aim to raise at least €7,000 for the rescues and encourage families to come along and experience the unique treat that is a drive in movie at Movie Junction – and pets are also very welcome!”
Also speaking of the fundraising initiative, Maria Kirby, Mallow Animal Rescue said “We are hugely thankful to Movie Junction for their help in raising money for each of the centres. With vet bills amounting to more than €5000 alone in Mallow the funds are urgently required to ensure that we can keep the rescue open and continue to help neglected and mistreated animals. Without these vital funds we will not be in a position to keep the service running. The initiative by Movie Junction is also a fantastic way to educate children about animal welfare while treating them to an experience they will no doubt enjoy”.
Donal Foley of Happy Days Ice Cream also lent his support to the initiative saying, “Happy Days Ice Cream is delighted to support Movie Junction in raising money for each of the rescues who carry out amazing work. I hope with the help of this campaign that they can continue to carry on their work and give many more Happy Days to abandoned and mistreated animals.”
Proceeds from ticket sales from Monday 29th October – Friday 2nd November will be split between each of the rescue centres with proceeds for Monday 29th going to Community Cats, Tuesday 30th going to Cat Action Trust, Wednesday 31st and Thursday 1st to Arc Animal Rescue and Friday 2nd to November 4th going to Mallow Rescue Centre.
**€25 fund raising tickets will be available from Fri 26th to all visitors who wish to support the cause and may not be free to attend on the dedicated nights.
The public can also donate to the centres through the Movie Junction website and offer warm homes to pets available for re-homing on www.moviejunction.ie
