Three Germans help out at dog sanctuary
From left: Nina Kiesendahl, Wiebke Schoon holding one of the puppies she took back with her home to Germany, and Janine Heinemann. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
Coming to Malta at the peak of summer for a week and spending six hours a day cleaning at a dog sanctuary is not what many would describe as the ideal holiday.
But that is what three German women were eager to embark upon - to spend a week at the Abandoned Animals Association's sanctuary in Luqa.
"After spending from 10 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. at the sanctuary cleaning and feeding the dogs, we also found time to go to the beach and visit some of the attractions, Mdina included, on your beautiful island," the three agreed.
Nina Diesendahl, 27, from Essen and Janine Heinemann, 24, from Bremen were here last January helping at the dog sanctuary, but Wiebke Schoon, 25, from Wittmund was here for the first time.
All three have dogs as pets back home. Ms Schoon took two puppies back with her when they ended their stay, yesterday.
Ms Kiesendahl said that back home it was not so easy to do voluntary work at a dog sanctuary.
"In Germany, the dog population in such sanctuaries amounts to 20 or slightly higher; nothing to compare with the large number in Malta's sanctuaries. Those taking care of dogs here need a lot of assistance and support... and, therefore, our plan to come to Malta and to fork out money to cover travel expenses was motivated by the belief that our contribution was needed and that it would be appreciated," she said.
The three plan to return.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
7 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Nina Kiesendahl
Aug 24th 2008, 22:56
Thank you all very much. I am happy to read that our help is being appreciated not only by the AAA, but also by other locals.
Dear Mr. Said, I am well aware of the TV programme you are referring to. I did not mean to create the impression of all German sanctuaries hosting only a little number of animals. I have seen enough to know better. However, helping out in a German sanctuary is not as easily done as helping out somewhere abroad. There is often a lot of red tape. Some of us have even been told that volunteers were not needed when they offered a helping hand. Still, I am open to being convinced otherwise. It is certain that the Maltese dogs have won me over and I may speak for Wiebke and Janine saying that we have taken them to our hearts...
Alfred Grech
Aug 23rd 2008, 20:34
Danke, Damen. Your generosity will be appreciated by the dogs but above all by the Maltese people.
May I take this opportunity to say hello to Dr Leo Said who posted a message below.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 23rd 2008, 19:20
Yes, we all thank them and find it,oh, so lovely that foreigners come to give a helping hand.
But when everything has been said and done, it is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to care for our own strays.
The problem of strays is EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY, we who live in MALTA AND GOZO!
Every sanctuary in Malta needs a constant army of local volunteers, not a few individual tourists who pay sporadic visit to our country - and who are most welcome and we are grateful to them!!!!
Joseph Schembri
Aug 23rd 2008, 12:23
Thank you on behalf of our four legged friends! These are the kind of news items that I love reading. Unfortunately we are born selfish animals and it takes education and culture to produce ladies such as these. Journalists take note: we want more stories like these!
Derek Bennett
Aug 23rd 2008, 11:27
Not only are they three lovely young ladies, but three caring ladies as well. Well done to the three of them.
Leo Said
Aug 23rd 2008, 10:50
"Ms Kiesendahl said that back home it was not so easy to do voluntary work at a dog sanctuary.
"In Germany, the dog population in such sanctuaries amounts to 20 or slightly higher; nothing to compare with the large number in Malta's sanctuaries. Those taking care of dogs here need a lot of assistance and support... and, therefore, our plan to come to Malta and to fork out money to cover travel expenses was motivated by the belief that our contribution was needed and that it would be appreciated," she said".
Above statement is unfortunately not quite correct.
Ms.Kiesendahl should be aware of the regular Sunday programme on West Deutscher Rundfunk TV (WDR3), where and when one gets an opinion other than that of Ms.Kiesendahl. The same programme occasionally also features the plight of animal homes and animal fates in Malta.
Antoine Grima
Aug 23rd 2008, 10:30
Can't thank you enough girls.Well done and thank you from the heart.I help out when i can , but mainly in winter because work takes up all my time in summer.It is hard work but very rewarding.Shame we cannot get more locals involved.We need more people like Nina , Janine Wiebke and Freddie from the AAA.