'Stretched' animal groups appeal for help

Animal organisations are bursting at the seams with abandoned dogs and the government should intervene and throw them a lifeline, Noah's Ark founder Fabio Ciappara said.

"Everyone is stretched and we cannot cope with the numerous calls we receive each day to take in abandoned dogs, puppies and strays. The cruelty we witness is unbearable," he said.

Mr Ciappara said the pleas by numerous organisations had been falling on deaf ears for months. He insisted that the government had a responsibility and it should not brush aside the issue just because someone always came forward to help.

"The government has the resources of the veterinary division which could help us spay and neuter the animals and strays to control the problem," he insisted.

Noah's Ark, which is currently trying to find homes for 25 puppies and several dogs, is made up of animal lovers who care for strays and abandoned pets in the north of the island.

Mr Ciappara said Noah's Ark received an average of six calls a day from people needing the help. The other day they joined forces with the SPCA to rescue a Harlequin Great Dane bitch that had been abandoned in Xemxija.

One woman actually saw its owners dump their pet in Xemxija. The creature was so scared that it sprinted right into the new railings along the promenade.

The bitch, which seems to have had a recent litter, got stuck at the midriff and it took several attempts and lots of patience by the SPCA and Noah's Ark to extricate her.

Unfortunately, the Civil Protection Department were unable to assist because they were on a flooding emergency service at Birkirkara.

The dog is now being cared for by the SPCA at Floriana.

"This is an example of how people are still blatantly abandoning their animals in spite of the new Animal Welfare Act. It is also an example of how the local animal welfare non-governmental organisations work hand in hand in their mission to rescue these unfortunate animals," the SPCA said in a statement.

"We are all desperate for help. This situation can no longer be sustained," Mr Ciappara said.

Noah's Ark is holding an open day at its animal sanctuary at Paradise Bay on Sunday from 10 a.m. onwards. It is making a heartfelt appeal to animal lovers to come forward and adopt a pet because they can no longer cope with the growing number of abandoned animals.

For more information call 7973 0900.

www.noahsarkmalta.org