Ariadne Massa
Animal sanctuary helpers strive to make ends meet
From left: Rosalind Agius, Janine Vella and Romina Formosa recount what they saw at the AAA sanctuary. Photo: Jason Borg.
The funds of the Association for Abandoned Animals are rapidly drying up after police started investigating fraud allegations against its founder Freddie Fenech.
The helpers are apprehensive of the dire situation because the sanctuary, which cares for 130 dogs, needs at least €4,000 a month in running costs and that excludes vet bills, medicines and maintenance.
At the moment, they are forking out money from their own pocket and relying on the goodwill of one benefactor but when that runs out they have no clue whom to turn to.
"We desperately need donations. People used to give donations directly to Freddie, which we never received, and people now seem scared to donate money to the sanctuary. They should come and see what we are doing," Romina Formosa said.
Ms Formosa and Rosalind Agius have decided to reveal their identity but they made it clear they were only doing this to garner help and ensure the truth prevailed.
Together with three others, they were doing their utmost to run the sanctuary professionally and once the allegations were made public they ousted Mr Fenech from his position as president of AAA.
The story about Mr Fenech broke when five of his helpers filed a police report. Ms Formosa and Ms Agius only plucked the courage to come forward after Animal Welfare Department director Mario Spiteri promised his assistance and the police offered them protection.
In their report, the helpers, who run the sanctuary in Luqa, accused Mr Fenech of siphoning off funds, being cruel to animals and making threats. They alleged they were unable to account for donations made directly to Mr Fenech and remained in the dark as to where the money went.
Sources said investigations into the behaviour of Mr Fenech, who has denied the allegations, were progressing but it was still too early to say when the case would be taken to court.
The police were still sorting through the paperwork and bank statements and compiling evidence.
However, while encouraged by the fraud investigations, the helpers felt Mr Fenech's biggest crime was animal abuse, accounts that have been corroborated by Janine Vella, another helper who left AAA in 2004 because she felt helpless in the situation.
Ms Agius, who runs the sanctuary and works unstintingly between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day, prepared an affidavit of what she witnessed.
Raised in Burmarrad, a village used as a dumping spot for abandoned dogs, Ms Agius and her family were always homing strays. When she heard of Mr Fenech, they started calling him to collect the strays and he "became our saint; we loved him and admired him".
In 2004, she decided it was time to volunteer, so she went there thinking she would clean up a bit, take the dogs for a walk, feed or play with them.
"The reality was different. The first thing that hit me was the gagging stench of faeces and urine. The sanctuary was like a carpet of dogs. They were simply packed on top of each other. I didn't expect the sanctuary to be a hotel but neither was I expecting a hell hole... But I was there to help, so I picked up a broom and started to clean," Ms Agius said.
She started going regularly and that was when the lack of animal welfare became evident: "He would share a 20kg feed bag between 200 dogs. Many times Fred did not even feed them, claiming he had no money. The sanctuary was never cleaned, except on the weekends by volunteers, and the dog population was at least twice the limit it should be."
"Vet care was non-existent. All the dogs suffered from ear and eye infections, skin diseases were abundant and nearly every dog had sore and bleeding paws from walking on the unwashed floor.
"If a dog was sick and needed veterinary care, even if he was in agony, he would be left to die. No dog was ever medically treated or humanely euthanised." However, Ms Agius felt Mr Fenech's "biggest sin" was that no dog was neutered and males would end up killing each other over a bitch in heat.
"Whenever I tried to help the dogs medically I did so from my own money," she recalled, as Ms Formosa and Ms Vella nodded, chipping in with similar experiences.
All three claimed that Mr Fenech used the injured animals to shock people into donating more money; what they termed his "celebrity dogs".
One such example was a Pharaoh hound called Lisa, who had a crushed leg from a car accident. "He took her to a newspaper and posed with the dog as an example of animal cruelty. Then, he brought her to the sanctuary and dumped her there, without even taking her to the vet," Ms Agius said.
She begged Mr Fenech for €280 for an operation to amputate its leg but he refused: "This dog was a good money source. Trusting people donated for her operation, an operation he never intended to go through with. Luckily, after six weeks in pain Lisa was sent to Germany."
The accounts are never-ending and all three said it was not unusual for Mr Fenech to pick up a stray from one locality and then dump it elsewhere.
Ms Agius accused Mr Fenech of making indirect threats when he realised there was unrest among the helpers, saying things like "I know people who will kill for Lm20 (€46)".
Ms Formosa added: "My biggest regret is how Freddie abused of our naïvety".
Ms Agius added: "We remained in this sort of life till we met the only man who believed us: Dr Spiteri".
The helpers can be reached via PO Box 24, Ħamrun.
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22 Comments
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Debbie Pisani
May 4th 2009, 09:17
I used to go help Freddie a year ago. I met both Rosalind and Romina. They are both very dedicated and they do so much for the sanctuary. It's still hard for me to believe the allegations against Freddie. Along the years I called him to pick up 4 strays and a litter 0f 9 puppies plus their mother and he always came. Apart from that when ever I wanted to give him an extra something as a donation he never wanted to take it.
THese two girls work non stop behind the scenes to help the sanctuary go on. Please donate :-
SMS
5061 6050 - €1.17
5061 7350 - €2.33
5061 8060 - €4.66
5061 8910 - €6.99
5161 9200 - €11.65
or
Address: HSBC Bank Malta plc, St Paul's Road, St Paul's Bay.
Account No: 064 056 591 050
IBAN No: MT77MME B44646000000 06405 6591050
Bank's Swift Code MME BMTMT
Sort Code 44646
Name Romina Formosa a/c Association for Aban Animals
Isabella peresso fiorentino
May 3rd 2009, 11:44
Mr J Farrugia - i really pity you to have such a cold heart. God created humans and animals to live side by side remember? This is all about animal welfare here so please don't mix issues.
The rumours about Fred have been going on for far too long now. I once called him about a stray dog in distress and he was very rude to me by saying to call the Happy Paws "because they have the money".
I truly admire these couragous girls who do such sterling work - they need all the support they deserve because after all, these dogs are thanks to the many selfish humans who one fine day decided for some reason or another to dump their unwanted pet onto someone else's doorstep. And where is the State I ask isn't it obliged to help these girls, who are doing all this work? Yes the Govt should help them financially. When a dog becomes a stray it becomes the responsibility of the govt and not the volunteers.
Good luck girls and don't give up now that you've come this far. You are very couragous.
Franco Farrugia
May 3rd 2009, 09:43
@ Mr Adrian Cardona - Well said, sir. But kindly refer to him as MR J FARRUGIA, with his initial, whatever it hides.
Adrian Cardona
May 2nd 2009, 20:50
because of people like J Farrugia, I am so much happier that I donate only to animal welfare groups. For your information Mr. Farrugia, it is much more satisfying for me taking care of animals, and seeing their unconditional love, and the joy they bring you. People like you, on the other hand, completely disgust me.
Franco Farrugia
May 2nd 2009, 20:11
@ Marco Cremona - I would still wait for a court's verdict before commenting, Mr Cremona. The last time I looked, there was only one judicial system - the one we know, in Valletta. And also the last time I looked, a person is innocent untill proven guilty.
That having been said, the sanctuary helpers mentioned here have my sympathy and my support.
Marco Cremona
May 2nd 2009, 20:01
.... the excellent service being offered by the santuary and by Rosalind personally. I wondered what would drive a young pretty educated girl like Rosalind to be at the santuary at 8.00am (or earlier) on a saturday morning, cleaning dogs excreata until the late hours of the afternoon, day in day out - when her peers would still be getting over their hangovers. We really admired her sheer dedication and professionalism.
On coming out of the santuary we met Freddie lounging in a car, probably expecting a donation from us. However, despite not ever having met Freddie or Rosalind before this day, I felt much more at ease to give the donation to Rosalind - which we did.
I am sure that a person like Rosalind would not have made up the stories she publicly declared - she did what she (and her colleagues) did through sheer love of the animals she tends. She is a truly genuine and dedicated person.
Rosalind, do not be dishearted at the sorry financial state of the santuary. You did the right thing. My appeal goes to all animal lovers in this country to help so that this excellent voluntary service can be maintained.
Marco Cremona
May 2nd 2009, 19:50
I first met Rosalind Agius when my wife and I decided to adopt a puppy one Saturday morning last November.
We phoned at 8.30am and she answered. She informed us that there were two puppies for adoption (actually there were more, as there was a litter of puppies with a slight skin infection and she would not give them for adoption until they were healed), and we were at the santuary in Luqa by 9.00pm.
We were met by Rosalind, a pretty young girl in long yellow overalls with a broom in her hand. It was very clear that she was cleaning the santuary, and was on her own. She presented the puppies and took time to answer any questions we had. We chose the puppy and she told us that the dog would be neutered and micro-chipped, and that we could collect the dog in the afternoon.
True to her word she phoned us up on our mobile at 2.00pm to collect the dog. There were no fees but we were told that we could give a donation. She insisted that we sign a contract which she wrote from memory there and then. We were pleasantly amazed at......
Stephanie Grima
May 2nd 2009, 18:02
Well done to all volounteers of AAA. Rumours about Freddie Fenech have been heared for years and years. I happen to know some of them quite well and I can truly say that they are a dedicated group for animals. I have given once given an injured stray dog to Ms Agius, and not only she took care of him, but she kept him in her house for recovery. I visited the sanctuary only once, but thier dedication is so evident.
Franco Farrugia
May 2nd 2009, 17:58
@ J FARRUGIA -
You know something? I would prefer to be in the company of animals than in your own company. This is not the first time that you make your opinion known, and you do that because this newspaper finds it fit to let you.
Erin Ciantar
May 2nd 2009, 17:45
What a strange man J Farrugia is!!
M. Gatt
May 2nd 2009, 17:40
@ Sylvia Zammit. I used to be a volunteer at your sanctuary for nearly two years. Then, on 25th December 2003 I found six abandoned puppies and took them home with me. Freddie Fenech was the only person who helped me. He took them at his sanctuary and found a home for all of them. From that day I decided to go and help Freddie (even with encouragement from my volunteer friends at Island Sanctuary who used to tell me that I was doing the right thing). Do you know what Freddie told me when I went and told him that I will help him? He asked me to remain helping at Island Sanctuary even though he needed help at the time. However, I had decided otherwise. This is the type of person Freddie is, a genuine person with a good heart.
v.pulis
May 2nd 2009, 17:35
"No one ever said t hurt animals!" You want them all KILLED for heaven's sake! Giving 4000 euros to animals may be absurd to you because you are unable to feel any love for them.
The people who care for animals are normal family members who are instilling a love for animals in their children so that perhaps one day the cruelty inflicted on these creatures is a thing of the past. By all means go to a children's home and I would suggest that you take an animal with you and see the children's faces light up with joy. The trouble with you seems to be that you can't find love in your heart for both humans and animals. it can be done you know.
Love has no limits and it is free.....I was going to say ask any animal but as you say animals don't speak! As for animals turning on their owners, i know quite a few persons who do the same.
M. Gatt
May 2nd 2009, 17:15
Freddie Fenech dedicated all his life to the well being of abandoned animals, just as Joe Calleja said. I spent four and a half years as a volunteer at the sanctuary and the dogs were always fed and given water to drink. Even when Fred had the problem with the water supply he used to go and bring jerrycans full of water in his van, carry them all the steps (there was a different entry at the time) and we used to give them to the dogs. He spent money on the sanctuary and the sanctuary was completely transformed to the better (from the first day I went there to the day that I left). It is important also to say that when Ms. Agius's car broke down Freddie was the person who bought her a brand new van from the sanctuary's funds so that she can continue to perform her duties at the sanctuary. He was also the first to help whenever these helpers needed something, even personally.
J Farrugia
May 2nd 2009, 16:09
No one ever said to hurt animals> But helping animlas doesnt mean giving 4,000 euros a months for the keeping of animls. It's absurd. There is so much hardship around us, people out of a job and then we have the temerity of giving 4,000 a month for the keeping of animls. An animal sanctuary ONE NOT HUNDRED and a united one for the sake of correctness and not fringe sanctuaries. I think that these people have absolutely nothing to do, no families to take care of, no friends except the animlss who do not speak. And who sometimes even turn on their owners. Shall I go on? If you have nothing to do, go to a children's home NOT AN ANIMAL SANCTUARY, and see the beautiful faces of the young children who are desperately in need of love and care, love which their parents did not give them. .......... It is more sanctifying helping such beings than wasting your time with animals,
Franco Farrugia
May 2nd 2009, 15:24
J FARRUGIA says that it is futile and useless to work in favour of animals. No wonder there is so much cruelty in and around Malta. It is people like him that harm animals so much.
And this human being speaks about 'morality' which should come before 'stupidity'.
This is one man who thinks that these animals should be killed, simply because human beings like himself have bullied animals and treated them badly and now these dogs are in the situation that they are in.
Shame on you.
v.pulis
May 2nd 2009, 14:10
@ J. Farrugia
"First things first. Morality before stupidity"
This last sentence is really strange coming from you.
Dare you speak of morality when you propose that all dogs in need should be killed?
People who help animals in need more often than not also help humans in need.
"It's a pity that young people are being duped in helping animals instead of humans. "
Who is duping who? I have never heard animal lovers incite anyone not to help humans.
The only incitement is coming from you when you tell people not to help animals.
Morally correct persons are those who help all those in need be they two, four, six legged or
non legged.
Finally remember that the plight these animals are in was created by so called humans so it is fitting that humans make up for it. That is morally and ethically our obligation
G.Pisani
May 2nd 2009, 12:49
@J.Farrugia,
Because you don't love animals doesn't mean no cares for them? How can you say put them all to sleep just because they were abandoned by their owners? I would put the owners to sleep not the animal!
There are many charities for human beings, why can't there be for animals as well.
M. Calleja
May 2nd 2009, 12:41
@J Farrugia - I simply cannot understand the comparision you made between human aid and animal aid. First and foremost both humans and creatures are God's creations therefore it is one's obligation to see that both are treated with respect and dignity. I happen to be one of those who whenever I have a cent to spare, I donate to both human and animal fund raisings. What's the difference between them if they both are in need? Humans are in advantage, as fund raising is everywhere for them and going on through the whole year. As for animals, poor creatures, they can only rely on the most hearted and loving of all - the volonteers and benefectors. - Well done and God bless you always for the good job and sacrifice that you do to these less fortunate creatures of God.
C.Psaila
May 2nd 2009, 12:40
Take care of the sanctuary at Bahar Ic-Caghaq please....
The residents have dogs roaming around and the dogs are very hungry.
...they seem to be aggressive too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
joe calleja
May 2nd 2009, 11:47
Freddie Fenech had been dedicating the last 40 years or so to the well being of animals starting from the days that there no awarness for them, at all.Dogs had always been his family,and on his shopping list was always food for them. Now ,when things are being changed for the better ,and nearly all local TV stations have programms related to animal welfare, there are some people that come from the back door and take all the credit,or want to take the credit. They found the bed laid.During all this time ,he is no millioner,or rather a very well off person.From this statemant by who is takeing charge now , can really see how much expensis there are.
J Farrugia
May 2nd 2009, 11:01
Instead of giving 4000 euros a month to the dogs, it would be much better, morally sound and ethically correct to give them to those HUman Beings in need of these funds. It's a pity that young people are being duped in helping animals instead of humans. The Dar tal-Provvvidenza, childrens' homes, sheltered homes for the handicapped, there is a whole lilst of such volontary run societies that need your help. Put these dogs to sleep and give these much needed funds to prople in need. There are so many of them who would gladly accepts a bit of this bonanza for the animals. First things first.
Sylvia Zammit
May 2nd 2009, 10:25
Well Done to Rosalind, Romina and the other volunteers who decided to finally speak out - though they were very much aware of the possible repercussions! It is a shame indeed that these poor dogs allegedly continue to suffer because of Freddy Fenech! As long as AAA is run properly - with the welfare of the animals kept foremost, and financial accountability, they deserve the full support of animal lovers.It is understandable that people are wary of donating their hard earned money, but these ladies mean business, and can be trusted.Why else would they have risked everything? it would be ironic indeed that, while Freddy Fenech benefited greatly from the dogs' plight in the past, financial help (which now goes directly to the sanctuary) should dry up now! The monthly figure quoted is no exagerration either - we spend thousands too to run the sanctuary properly - and there is no way we could do it without help!