American vet volunteers without a permit

I wish to support Sonia Hayes' letters, 'Grant American vet a permit' (The Sunday Times, January 4) and 'Caring for feral cats' (The Times, December 27).

I am also responding to the main article which appeared on December 20, entitled 'American vet works without permit.'

First of all, that heading is incorrect as the word 'works' implies payment. The title should have read, 'American vet volunteers without permit.' Bert Childers is the kindest man you can find. He and his lovely wife Kathi come each year to spend a few weeks in Gozo and during that time he has made himself available to aiding feral cats - among the most neglected of animals.

Dr Childers is a retired vet who once owned his own animal hospital and who last September was awarded one of the highest honours in the US for the excellent voluntary care of animals throughout his lifetime.

I know for a fact that when he first arrived in Gozo some years ago, he applied for a permit to volunteer as a vet and was denied it on the basis that he was an American and not from a European country. Instead of wasting time taking him to court for doing good deeds, how about the government officials give Dr Childers a permit so that he can continue his charitable work when he and his wife return to Gozo. It's hard to find a gentleman like him.