Mark Vella Bardon, Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, Mellieħa.
Help for animal sanctuaries
It is quite disappointing that the authorities have as yet not provided SPCA Gozo with a suitable location to set up a sanctuary for the abandoned dogs that benefit from their shelter.
The news that SPCA Gozo may have to give up their sterling work because they are unable to keep their dogs in accordance with appropriate standards is alarming.
No regulations are as yet being enforced.
They were simply proposed and the government has made a commitment to provide funds to help all sanctuaries reach the standards required within a two-year timeframe.
In our first meeting with Minister George Pullicino, way back in September 2004, we recommended that there be such regulations as well as veterinary supervision for sanctuaries.
This was before our Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary had actually started to set up the premises where we now provide shelter for abandoned dogs.
Dogs that are rescued only to be kept in substandard conditions is something I always found most unacceptable.
I am sure that the government will find a suitable location for SPCA Gozo sooner rather than later.
In this way they will be able to keep their dogs in accordance with acceptable standards, as befits our four-legged friends.
SPCA Gozo has the ability and the will to create a real haven for the dogs they rescue. They do this with so much dedication and effort.
There is no doubt that they deserve government support.
Financial help from the government will only help sanctuaries improve their standards.
I appeal to all those kind-hearted people who have been generous with animal sanctuaries in the past to continue doing so.
Their help is still vital if sanctuaries are to survive and keep up with the ever-increasing costs of their operations.
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Mark Vella Bardon
Apr 26th 2008, 13:00
Re Anthony Mizzi quoting Darrel Pace: Facts are: LM60,000 was voted for 2007 for the animal "After Care Centre". I am reliably informed that there are LM 120,000 available this year for this purpose. The LM 150,000 voted for this year are yet to be distributed and in agreement between NGOs and the Govenrment half will go to snactuaries and the other half to a neutering and microchip ID programme. One hopes that there will be no f urhter delay in the process.
Mark Vella Bardon
Apr 26th 2008, 10:15
I share Patricia Mifsud's anguish when home dogs are abandoned. I too feel sad to see dogs in overcrowded pens in sanctuaries. That is why regulations for sanctuaries are so very important. We at Noah's Ark have succeeded in giving our dogs ample space and lots of companionship. So much so that whenever any one of them decides to make an escapade he/she is back at the gate within 24 hours asking to be re-admitted. I invite you all to our OPEN DAY tomorrow Sunday 27th April to see for yourselves how happy these dogs are. What is even more heart warming and gives us utmost satisfaction is when these dogs find good homes. We have found homes for hundreds of dogs, both in Malta and abroad.
Kenneth Cassar
Apr 17th 2008, 07:21
Patricia Mifsud said: "I feel that if the owner of the dog can't take care of his/her dog anymore, then the animal should be put humanely to sleep".
Think about this, Patricia: Should we do the same with orphans? I'm sure you'll agree that an orphanage is not the ideal place for children to be...they'd rather live in a happy family composed of a loving couple. However, an orphanage (apart from adoption) is the second-best option.
The same applies to homeless dogs.
Mark Thorogood
Apr 17th 2008, 07:14
It is not Gozo SPCA’s policy to put healthy animals to sleep - hope that clarifies matter
Jutta Spang-Schleicher
Apr 16th 2008, 23:23
Since the past two years I have been to Malta very often to help Noah´s Ark and the SPCA Gozo and I have found homes for over 50 dogs in Germany. I will keep on helping because I know that so much help is needed in the sanctuaries. It is sad that so many animals are abandoned and it is not a solution to put all these friendly and lovely animals to sleep! My own dog MIA had been living at Luqa Airport before she was rescued by the dedicated helpers of Noah´s Ark. She is the best dog in the world!
Animals have a right to live and be loved. I hope that all the people engaged in animal rescue work in Malta keep their strength to carry on with their hard work and that the government will provide the financial means to guarantee acceptable standards for the sanctuaries.
Belinda Borg
Apr 16th 2008, 17:51
I have just given 3 boxes of clothes, ornaments,books to a Charity shop in San Gwann next door to the Commimex in San Gwann. All the proceeds of this fantastic Charity shop goes towards animal Sanctuaries!
Please donate your unwanted things to this incredible shop in San Gwann its caleed The Charity Shop, we need more shops like this in Malta, Great idea!! and helping animal welfare!!
Patricia Mifsud
Apr 16th 2008, 15:21
I'm the proud owner of two lovely dogs rescued as 8 week old puppies four years ago. And yet, where the issue of animal sanctuaries is concerned, I'm very sceptical. I'm not sure I know how to put this properly, and I certainly hope that I'm not misunderstood, but I feel that if the owner of the dog can't take care of his/her dog anymore, then the animal should be put humanely to sleep. My reasoning is that the dog loves his/her owner unconditionally and undoubtedly suffers emotionally when it is removed from its home and owner. However much its physical needs are cared for, the primary need of having its owner's companionship (whom the dog loves more than life itself - even when it's been maltreated) is missing. Sanctuaries are good as temporary alternatives until a proper home can be found - but long-term housing in a sanctuary does not translate to a good quality of life. Having said all that, I thank God that sanctuaries exist and that there are so many caring people around. But at the end of the day, dogs would want to be with their owner at home, not in a pack.
Franco Farrugia
Apr 16th 2008, 13:29
I hope that the easiest solution will not be chosen: that of putting the dogs 'to sleep' in order to start off with a clean slate.
Killing the dogs under care is no way to solve the problem. I sincerely hope it won't come to that.
Anthony Mizzi
Apr 16th 2008, 10:10
Mr. Darrell Pace, communications coordinating officer, Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, once wrote in the Times and confirmed that the treatment the government reserved for animal welfare NGOs is in fact lip service and confirmed that the sum the government voted last year 2007 for animal welfare was Lm60,000 was in fact was set aside and voted Lm150,0000 voted for this year for the Aftercare Center in Ta' Qali.