Stephanie Zammit, Lija
Cat rescuers deserve praise
Picture this: It's 5.30 p.m. near the Qormi petrol station when a cat is hit by a passing car. The poor cat was bleeding but managed to stumble to a safer area on the side road. Onlookers had a shocked expression but no action was taken.
Being perhaps emotionally weaker than the rest I decided to help the poor cat. However, that alone wasn't enough, and expert hands were required to get hold of the cat and transport it to a vet. Since no official animal ambulance number is available, I started making phone calls to vets, emergency services and so on but nobody could do anything in the situation.
Dr Annette Borg referred me to the St Francis Foundation and immediately a member came over with his personal car all the way from Vittoriosa. The person had no idea if the call was a genuine one or not but still took the risk.
An hour-and-a-half of dedication and patience led to the restraining of the frightened and badly-injured cat. Dr Borg agreed to attend to the cat although she had already closed the clinic. I was ready to remunerate both the vet and the St Francis Foundation member for their work and dedication but none of the two accepted. These are animal lovers indeed.
Repeated visits to the vet were required and the member of the foundation came daily from Vittoriosa to Lija to tend the cat at my house. The cat is now healthy and homed. The lack of an animal ambulance service surely doesn't encourage the public to help out in such situations. We are lucky enough to have big-hearted people who are willing to run such a service but apparently no funds are allocated. Animal 112 please!
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John Darmanin
Dec 29th 2008, 10:31
It seems that the issue of the animal ambulances will have the same fate as the initiative of the german vets. If I am well informed a team of german vets from foreign animal societies had come to Malta to help in the neutering of strays free of charge, but somehow they were sent back home. The ambulances will probably rust and become junk by the time any explanation or release is given. It is just a paper exercise that involves the waiving of taxes for a charitable cause that would also save a lot of tax payers money in the long run. Those people who help animals in need really deserve a praise. They are seldom appreciated
Ronnie Gauci
Dec 29th 2008, 01:54
Well done my friend. Malta needs more persons like you.
cassar i
Dec 28th 2008, 21:50
Tisma din fuq l abbulanzi vera pajjiz bla gost..Ma haddtux kollox it taxxa fuq l abbulanzi tridu ukoll. zarmaw halli ahna w l annimali noqghodu bil kwiet fuq din il gebla zghira.
Bernard Vella
Dec 28th 2008, 14:22
The author of this article deserves a bust 8) Some so called 'humans' don't move a finger to help these innocent creatures. We should all do our even minimum to return some affection to these helpless creatures, that after all offer us so much unconditional love and warmth...Shame on all the insensitive so called 'humans'
Dion Borg
Dec 28th 2008, 14:04
Could the Hon. George Pullicino, or his spoke-person kindly clarify why the animal ambulances that have been donated (not by government) to St. Francis Foundation - cannot be made used of - without the tax imposition.
A number of vehicles are allowed to circulate without registration tax - for varied justifiable reasons - thus it is very hard to condone government's stubborness and cold heart in this case.
Accountability and responsibility dictate that either a clear sincere reason is spelt out, or else the ambulances should be allowed to circulate freely at once.
Paul Pace
Dec 28th 2008, 13:17
The web-site is:
http://www.vets.co.uk/about.asp
Sorry for the misprint!
J. Borg
Dec 28th 2008, 13:11
'....No official animal ambulance is available...'
I understand that such ambulance is held up by this government - because the Cabinet does not want to waive the hefty registration taxes on such vehicles which have been donated by foreign benefactors (i.e. they have not cost us taxpayers any money)!
It is thus very cheeky when politicians portray themselves so benevolent with hollow pronouncements - when they so horribly hinder sincere animal lovers from offering their hand on assistance to injured animals and the caring persons who wish to lend a helping hand.
Minister Pullicino - pls clean up your act - and get the ambulance so dearly missed into use!
Paul Pace
Dec 28th 2008, 12:21
For all vets and animal lovers please enter this web-site perhaps someone is interested to introduce such a service in Malta with the help of these professional experienced dedicated people.
Franco Farrugia
Dec 28th 2008, 10:52
Firstly, a big well-done to the author of the writer for her altruistic and kind heart in stopping to help the poor creature. Ms Zammit is a shining light for all of us!
Secondly, I am sure that the person who helped Ms Zammit with the transport of the creature was a member of the St Francis Foundation for Animals, and the person was probably a Mr MAGRIN. Well done and thank you, sir. Messrs Magrin - they are two brothers - go out of their way, literally , to help animals in distress.
Thirdly, a word of praise to dear Dr Anette Borg, the veterinarian with a heart in its proper place. She goes out of her way, too, to help strays, and she does it free of charge because she honestly loves animals.
Well done, to all!!! A good, reliable, animal ambulance service, day and night, is URGENTLY required!