New animal welfare rules put pressure on Gozo SPCA

The Gozo SPCA will be forced to close by the end of next year unless a suitable site on which to build a new rescue and re-homing centre is found, the society said yesterday.

The new Animal Welfare Act is scheduled to come into force in the near future. Last December, the Gozo SPCA signed an undertaking with the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment to have an animal shelter that abides by the terms of the Act by December of next year.

"The society welcomes the Act, since it will result in an enforceable framework of standards for the care and welfare of all animals. In particular, the Act lays down standards for the kennelling of dogs and cats.

"Due to limited space, the current premises cannot conform to the regulations while remaining a viable service to the community.

"Upgrading the present premises is a physical impossibility. It is, therefore, vital that Gozo SPCA, in conjunction with the Ministry for Gozo, finds a suitable site on which to build a new rescue and re-homing centre," it said.

In the last three years, Gozo SPCA has picked up well over 1,000 abandoned dogs and cats.

"Lately the society has experienced unacceptable problems due to overcrowding of animals in its care, which for the first time in its 32-year history has resulted in a fatal injury to one of the dogs. In view of this, a limit has been set to the number of dogs in care. Currently that limit is being exceeded," it said.

Since it is not Gozo SPCA's policy to put healthy animals to sleep, the society is unable to take in any more strays until such time as the numbers in care are reduced through re-homing.

"Gozo SPCA will continue to rescue injured and sick animals, while supporting the care of healthy strays. It will also continue with its successful policy of catching, neutering and releasing feral animals, as well as still offering assistance with the fees for neutering owned animals."

It hoped a suitable rental site, on which new premises that conform to the standards in the Animal Welfare Act can be built, will quickly be found.