Maria Bovey, Nadur
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.
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laurence schembri
Jan 18th 2009, 22:56
The law is an ass. Dr. Childers has one of the highest veterinary credentials. Animals are colour blind, they do not distinguish where one comes from (unlike homosapiens), but I can assure you they do know how to say thank you for the care they get.
Oral/written my foot, the next thing you will be telling me that I cannot feed stray cats because I hold an english passport. Please grow-up, we are in the 21st Century.
Charles Sammut (NY)
Jan 18th 2009, 22:23
I have posted in the past about this issue and I hate to sound repititive. Dr Childers absolutely did not harm anybody and I know from personal experience how much red tape and beauracracy one faces when trying to obtain permits if you are a foreign national..In my opinion the Authorities should have helped him in trying to get a permit and not drag him to Court to face Criminal Charges. After all his expertise and voluntary work should be welcomed and not frowned upon. Which reminds me of an incident in Maltese History. When St Paul got shipwrecked on Malta he supposedly cured the local Governor of his dysentery. Something tells me these same authorities would have dragged him to Court too because he did not have the so called Warrant.. I wonder how they would treat "Doctors without Borders" if a Calamity occured and Malta needed quick medical assistance.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 18th 2009, 14:36
So it all comes down to money? So because Dr Childers is volunteering and not charging any money for his services, all of a sudden volunteering becomes a crime.
emanuel magrin
Jan 18th 2009, 13:40
Quote " 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". The Maltese government should take this golden opportunity and rope in Dr. Childers to help setting up of an animal hospital in Malta and Gozo.
Her Excellency Mrs Bordanaro could also start the ball rolling in this regard before her term expires. The USA have the best animal hospitals in the world. Their equipment, knowledge and expertise in this regard is second to none. http://www.animalmedics.com/
To Dr. Childers goes our full support for helping the poorest of the poor - THE STRAYS WHO HAVE NOTHING.
WELL DONE DR. CHILDERS.
www.saintfrancisfoundaion.com
David Buttigieg de Piro
Jan 18th 2009, 12:57
For heaven's sake, this gentleman is a Vet who is volunteering his services for abandoned and stray animals and is NOT taking any work from ANY Maltese vet, unless a Maltese vet volunteered to do the same work Dr Childers does! Ridiculous comments like he should pass local exams" make me sigh in disbelief - if he is recognised in the U.s. you can bet your last Euro that he had to pass more stringent exams then a lot of local European vets!
This gentleman volunteers a service that should be provided by the state! He is taking nothing away from local vets! For heaven's sake is common sense so rare these days!
wenzu vella
Jan 18th 2009, 12:37
If a Maltese vet wants to practice in the US he/s would have to pass all the required exams before he/s be allowed to practice, perhaps different one's in each and every State.
If this vet practiced without a permit should have been reported to the proper authorities.
Jason Spiteri
Jan 18th 2009, 12:31
@M.Gauci
Rule of law? Interesting idea - except that so many OTHER animal laws are broken without the authorities lifting a finger that there HAS to be another reason - economics. Less than 30 vets in Malta and Gozo control and regulate their profession at all levels, and they know that protecting their little niche of profit has to be priority number 1. Even if it means criminalising good-hearted volunteers like bert childers!
M.Gauci
Jan 18th 2009, 10:52
Rule of law Ms Bovey, rule of law.
If we had to close an eye to every little or big thing you call volunteer we would have chaos.
s.bugeja
Jan 18th 2009, 10:38
While commending and applauding Dr.Childers' love and commitment towards our animal friends I see a problem in his position. The fact that he was practicing his profession gratis could very well be the biggest obstacle. He was perhaps unwittingly undermining the livlehood of other vets who charge for their service. if I had any say in the matter, which I don't!, I would give Dr. Childers a working permit and he could 'charge' a nominal fee. That way he would be complying with the law. We need all the help we can get where animal welfare is concerned in this country and we cannot let his talents be wasted.
Herbert Guillaumier
Jan 18th 2009, 10:18
He ought to be submitted to an oral/written examination by the Veterinary Council of Malta and ONLY after successfully passing the said examination and being accepted for registration with the said Council, can he provide such services, whether on payment or not.