The Cork-based company believed to be in the running to takeover Ennis Dog Pound has pulled out of the tendering process for a similar facility in Kilkenny.
ACS has officially withdrawn its application to take over the shelter in Paulstown in the wake of a hard-fought campaign by local animal welfare groups.
It's not known if this affects their plans for Clare, but here too there has been strong opposition including public protests since it emerged that ACS was apparently set to be awarded the contract.
A decision on the Ennis Dog Pound was expected this week, but Clare County Council says the tendering process is ongoing.
They hope to award the contract by the end of August