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The Louis & Raquel Foundation

In memory of two small souls who changed everything.

A charitable foundation established by Siopaella to fund deserving animal welfare charities across Ireland.

100%
To animal welfare
2026
Founded
Louis and Raquel — photoshoot portraits side by side
A Quiet Promise

Some loves leave a paw-shaped mark on the world. This foundation is ours.

Anyone who has been a part of the Siopaella journey over the last 15 years would know about our two fur babies Louis and Raquel. They were family — and the heart and soul of our lives, of our business and the steady presence beside every late night, every early morning, every milestone. The Louis & Raquel Foundation continues their legacy — turning our grief into giving, and their memory into meaningful change for animals who need a voice.

Raquel — portrait
Our Beginning

How the foundation came to be.

The Louis & Raquel Foundation was established in loving memory of Louis and Raquel — our two rescue dogs who grew up alongside Siopaella, greeting customers at our stores for nearly 15 years. Their unforgettable spirits shaped both our lives and the soul of our business in ways we are still discovering.

As many of you know, in 2024 and 2025 we sadly lost the two of them only months apart. Louis was 19 and his little sister Raquel was 15. The last couple of years was honestly the most brutal, difficult and saddest chapters of our lives and of the business. It's hard to still even talk about it out loud and if it wasn't for the support of our team and of our community here, we would not be here today. They were that important, and only those who know will understand how big the loss was felt. So we knew we had to build something to carry it forward — a foundation that honors their lives by helping other animals find the safety, care and devotion that Louis and Raquel knew every day of theirs.

Every donation, every application funded, every animal helped through this foundation is a small note in the song of their memory.

Two Hearts, One Mission

Louis and Raquel were family.

They came to us as rescues themselves, and so it feels fitting that their foundation now reaches back to the world they came from — supporting the shelters, sanctuaries and small grassroots groups who do the hardest, most thankless work in animal welfare.

Ella, Steve, Louis and Raquel — mirror selfie
Our Mission

Funding the people who show up for animals — quietly, daily, without applause.

01
Rescue & Rehome
Direct grants to shelters and rehoming organisations working with surrendered, abandoned and stray animals.
02
Veterinary Care
Funding for life-saving surgeries, dental work and chronic-care treatment that small charities cannot otherwise afford.
03
Sanctuary Support
Sustained help for sanctuaries caring for senior, special-needs and end-of-life animals who deserve a soft landing.
04
Education & Advocacy
Backing community programs that promote responsible ownership, neutering, and ethical treatment of all animals.
How We Decide
Who can apply
Registered animal welfare charities, rescue groups, sanctuaries and not-for-profit organizations based in Ireland or working in partnership with Irish welfare networks.
Funding range
Grants typically range from €500 to €2,000 depending on the project's scope, urgency and the foundation's available funds at the time of review.
Review cycle
Applications are reviewed throughout the year depending on the available funding.
What we look for
A clear, specific use of funds and demonstrable impact on the animals in your care.
What we do not fund
Only applicable organizations based in Ireland are eligible at the moment.
Apply for Funding

Tell us about the animals you help.

If your organization is working — quietly or loudly — to improve the lives of animals, we would be honored to hear from you. Please complete the form below and we will be in touch.

If applicable
By submitting this application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge and that, if awarded a grant, your organization will provide a brief written update on the use of funds within three months. All applications are reviewed in confidence by the foundation's trustee team.
Support the Foundation

Every donation backs an animal in need.

100% of donations made through Siopaella go directly to the Louis & Raquel Foundation grant pool.

Donate Now →Apply for Funding
The Louis & Raquel Foundation · An initiative of Siopaella · 29/30 Wicklow Street, Dublin D02 Y037
For enquiries: info@siopaella.com
In Loving Memory
Louis & Raquel — forever the heart of Siopaella.