It's a dog's life... but not if Englishwomen can help it - August 15, 2006

A retired English lady is working full-time to help animal organisations in Malta after a letter in The Times on a dog's terrible life spurred her into action.

Joan Baker, 62, could not believe that nobody went to the aid of a tame dog that had been tied up in a yard with a metre-long chain, exposed to the elements and given only stale, green water from a rusty old tank to drink and pieces of hard skin of a dead animal to eat.

The letter, which appeared in March, was a woman's plea for help for the dog after her calls to the authorities and one of the animal-lovers' organisations fell on deaf ears.

Ms Baker, who has been coming to Malta on holiday with her family for the past 20 years, went about putting pressure on the different organisations until the police eventually went in and rescued the dog from its owner.

However, the police had no option but to leave it tied to the gate of Rennie Scicluna's dog sanctuary in Pembroke, with a note saying they'd call the next day.

Aware that the dog's fate was still in the balance, Ms Baker, together with her daughters Nicola and Karen, decided to adopt the dog. Named Rennie, it is now being showered with love and attention in the UK.

After this incident, Ms Baker rolled up her sleeves and started working hands-on at Mr Scicluna's sanctuary.

Witnessing their mother's enthusiasm, her daughters, who run a family business in London, Wetton Cleaning Services Ltd, decided to donate £10,000 which she could use to help animal organisations in Malta.

Knowing that Mr Scicluna was about to be evicted from his animal shelter in Pembroke, Ms Baker met Fabio Ciappara, founder of Noah's Ark animal sanctuary in Mellieha, and plans are now underway for Mr Scicluna's 40 dogs to be moved there by October.

Ms Baker has donated Lm3,500 to Noah's Ark to build 40 new pens to home the dogs and she is now hoping that Pembroke residents will be patient for a little while longer until the pens are constructed.

Wetton Cleaning Services have also donated a mobile caravan to Noah's Ark, in which sick animals can recover under observation, sand fly collars for the dogs and cleaning equipment to facilitate the lives of helpers.

Ms Baker is a tireless helper and a force for change. "Do you just stand by and do nothing? There are so many Maltese individuals and sanctuaries who are doing all they can and living on the bread line to support the animals. If we all do our bit the situation will improve."

She has written to the Queen and Prince Charles, as well as several organisations in the UK, asking for help.

In the meantime Ms Baker has also being appointed vice-president of ShareMalta Foundation, which was set up to promote education on the welfare of animals while raising funds for needy shelters.

Ms Baker believes the government should do more to help the animal organisations - and it need not be much.

"For example the environment minister promised to provide two drivers for the animal ambulances which are currently off the road because there's nobody to drive them.

"We are hoping more people will come forward to do their bit," she said making an appeal for volunteers.

Those who wish to help can call ShareMalta president Brenda Swift on 9921 9815 or send a donation to HSBC account 64056153001.

Otherwise call Noah's Ark on 7973 0900. Donations can be made via SMS on 5061 7351 for Lm1, 5061 8072 for Lm2 and 5061 9202 for Lm5.

www.noahsarkmalta.org