After 20 years, SPCA Gozo still seeking new centre

The SPCA in Gozo is seeking agricultural land on which to build much needed new premises. The quest has been going on for 20 years, without success, the society's stray centre manager Betty Berry said.

"On several occasions we had identified properties but permits were always turned down for some reason. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has told us that such a centre should be situated on agricultural land and we have a problem finding such land," she said.

Mrs Berry said the Gozo SPCA could afford to build the premises as a Swiss supporter had left a legacy for the purpose but it cannot afford to buy the land.

Bert Childers, a retired vet who lives in Dallas and who is a frequent visitor to Gozo, is lending a hand whenever he is around.

Dr Childers sat on the board of the SPCA in Texas for over 20 years.

"The biggest challenge for the SPCA in Gozo is to get abandoned animals adopted but the biggest problem is that we don't have the facilities we need. We badly need a shelter where the animals can live until they are adopted. If animals are displayed in proper surroundings they can be adopted much sooner," Dr Childers said. But finding the right property in Gozo is tricky.

"We need a minimum of 400 - 500 square metres. It is a size we are able to support. The bigger the building the more expensive it is to maintain," he said.

Dr Childers said there were enough people in Gozo who were willing to adopt animals. The problem was that the current shelter, behind the Aurora, was hard to get to and lacked parking facilities.

Mrs Berry said the police and local councils were frequently asking them to pick up stray dogs.

"The only animals we pick up are those that cannot look after themselves. We have over 20 animals in our premises which is only adequate for six or eight. We need to have premises to house about 50 dogs and 30 cats and we can run the place with volunteers," he said.

Mrs Berry said the Gozo SPCA did not put animals down unless they were badly injured and beyond treatment. Kittens with cat flue and dogs with sandfly are also put to sleep as they infect others.

Funding is solely through donations, which includes an annual grant from the Ministry for Gozo, which also pays the salary of a person who tends for the animals and goes out on calls.

Educational talks are carried out in schools and for scouts, giving tips on animal welfare and how to take care of pets.

The SPCA Gozo stray centre has no connections with the SPCA in Malta or any other organisation in Gozo, Mrs Berry said. It can be contacted on 2155 3769 or 9980 7067.