The Island Sanctuary, in Marsaxlokk, is Malta's longest established dog sanctuary. This no-kill shelter is the responsibility of the Island Sanctuary Association, which is made up of a small number of volunteers who are actively involved, and around 1000 members and friends who support us financially.
The organisation originated in 1986 on Manoel Island. With the granting of an official lease to use Fort Tas-Silg, Delimara, on August 31, 1991, the Animal Samaritans (as it was known), relocated to a more suitable and beneficial environment and changed its name to the Island Sanctuary Association.
The sanctuary itself serves as a temporary home for around 150 unwanted dogs - we strive hard to find good homes for them as we believe a dog is happiest when he's part of a loving family. For some of our dogs, though, it is the only home they have ever known as not all dogs get adopted.
All decisions regarding the running of the Island Sanctuary Association are made by the elected eommittee (all of whom are voluntary workers). Since our opening, our main policies have been to give our dogs the best care we can. This goes far beyond providing food and a roof over their head! The Island Sanctuary itself is to be a temporary or permanent home for our homeless dogs. Therefore, we make sure their experience is a happy one.
We provide food, shelter, medical care - but we also give them love and companionship. No healthy dog is ever put down, and new dogs can only be admitted when there is room for them. All our adult dogs are spayed or neutered, and puppies adopted from the Sanctuary must also be spayed or neutered once they are over six months old.
The sanctuary is supported by the public and a number of volunteers who dedicate their time to the running of the sanctuary. At present, we have around 160 dogs, and looking after them is no easy task!
Our expenses now run to over Lm10,000 a year, and raising funds is another headache! Rather than just asking for donations, we try to organise fund-raising events. In April, we opened our own Charity Shop in Zabbar Road, Paola. The shop is run entirely by volunteers (though we have to pay rent) and all money raised there goes towards the running of the sanctuary. Our 2007 colour calendar is now on sale, and we hope it will raise some much needed cash!
Visitors are always welcome to call at the sanctuary. Due to lack of volunteers, our hours can be irregular, so it's wiser to call first to confirm that the sanctuary will be open. Next Sunday is Open Day at the Island Sanctuary, starting from 9 a.m. Please feel free to visit us and spend some with us and with our dogs.
The Open Day ends with Mass at 5 p.m. - including the blessing of all dogs on the occasion of the feast of St Francis of Assisi. We are issuing a special invitation for dog owners - please come and bring your dog with you, especially if it was an ex-sanctuary dog!
Ms Zammit is PRO, Island Sanctuary.