Paul Brincau, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.
Trapped cats
I travelled to Malta over the Easter weekend with my family and we stayed at our flat in Mellieha Bay. During our five-day stay, we had to rescue three cats that fell/jumped down the backyard of a flat below us, which opens up into the street. Something obviously drew them down there but I can't figure out what.
The first one was easy to release because someone luckily happened to be in; the other two not, the first one of which spent three days exposed to the elements (which weren't pleasant if one remembers). He was lucky, we were the only ones there and we made sure he was at least watered and fed. It had a collar on, so it was a pet.
I telephoned the SPCA, feline animal association, civil defence, the police, and anybody else who I thought might be able to help - they either didn't answer the phone or told me they couldn't help because they had to ask permission from the residents. But this wasn't a ball or some trinket one is trying to retrieve, it's a poor animal which under European laws has rights too. I hate to think that I would be treated in the same way if I fell into this backyard! Or maybe if smoke is coming out from under the door the fire department will wait until the whole street burns down before they get permission to enter the premises. I'm talking back yard with no access to premises here.
Surely one has to assume that permission would be given in an emergency, and if that's the case no law has been broken. I also would not like to be the one (or my young children) to open the door to my back yard to find a dead carcass. Indeed I would be grateful for outside intervention; after all, access to the premises is secure anyway.
I hasten to add that the SPCA in Gozo did answer the phone on both occasions that I called, and they did attempt to give me some advice, although they could not do anything themselves. Perhaps the SPCA in Malta could get the situation clarified.
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Franco Farrugia
Apr 1st 2008, 22:20
My heart goes out for these cats and animals in general in peril.
However, in reply to Mr Kelly, I wish to put one question to him: how much have you done in order to help said NGOs in their important and sterling work that they are doing in favour of animals in the streets?
And with what right do you write in public about said organisations IF (and only IF) you are one of the thousands of Maltese citizens who don't care one iota about the service that NGOs give?
you speak about 'their jobs' but little do you realise, probably, that their job is actually the one which is their daily bread and butter and that, contrary to you and I (probably), after THAT job, they start their voluntary service - not a job! - in animal rescue and help.
Nobody has a right to expect things from volunteers. What they do, they do because they want to do it. On the contrary, ours is the duty to THANK them constantly for any minute of work tha they offer to the animal kingdom in Malta and Gozo without being paid for it. On the contrary, they put their hands in their pockets and use their own money in order to keep absolutely filled sanctuaries going!
So much for our tone of gratitude! For shame!
liam kelly
Apr 1st 2008, 11:25
I'm afraid the truth of the matter is that If these NGO's and associations REALLY wanted to help and REALLY cared about their causes, something WOULD be done.
I'm not speaking for every member of these associations, but unfortunatly it seems, like many maltese, they've caught the 'oh ejja' syndrome and are just too lazy to act.
They need to remember that their job is as important and that animals lives depends on it and this annecdote has just highlighted the fact that they really aren't interested if they have to make an effort, or if any coordination with other authorities is involved.
Poor showing.