Ariadne Massa
Animal ambulance struggling to keep going
A badly injured Pharaoh hound, found by the side of the Mellieħa bypass in a pool of blood, was rescued by the animal ambulance this week.
The 12-month-old kelb tal-fenek had been hit by a car and was left to die until another motorist called for help, said Fabio Ciappara, Noah's Ark animal sanctuary founder.
"We rushed the dog to the vet. I hope we did not get another speeding ticket, because we're already received three. I cannot believe the animal ambulance is not exempt... Luckily, we got the dog to the clinic on time and she is recovering at our sanctuary's sick bay," he said.
Mr Fabio said were it not for the animal ambulance service - introduced by the Rural Affairs Ministry last June and run by Noah's Ark - the dog would have probably died.
The animal ambulance, which rescued over 800 cats and dogs in five months, is on the critical list after the government's financial backing dried up. Mr Ciappara contested the ministry's recent statement to The Sunday Times, which said Noah's Ark had been paid €30,000 for the six-month pilot project. The sum was actually €15,000, he said, providing a copy of the contract as proof.
It turned out there was some kind of mix-up from the ministry's end and, when confronted with the contract, a spokesman admitted Noah's Ark allocation to provide the service was €15,000 and not €30,000.
The animal ambulance realistically needed at least €1,200 a week to be run effectively and Mr Ciappara said the way things stood the sanctuary was having to dig deep in its pockets to continue running the service.
Noah's Ark was extremely concerned at how it could meet the contract's terms and continue running the service until the end of December with no money but Mr Ciappara said that, in the end, his love for the animals won.
The ministry confirmed that Noah's Ark would be honouring its contract until it expired. A spokesman said the ministry was studying and considering a number of options to see how best to proceed to continue offering this service.
Those who wish to support Noah's Ark can log on to www.noahsarkmalta.org/donations.htm.
13 Comments
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Jon Vercellono
Nov 30th 2009, 09:50
By the way, to wind up this discussion. Ambulances transporting humans do not stop at Traffic Lights, and are not subject to speeding fines. They are indeed above the law - contrary to what Mr. Farrugia states. Secondly, motorists are required to stop when hitting an animal - to remove it or render assistance. An ambulance is an ambulance - be it human or animal. Remember, if there was not speeding - no (or fewer) animals would be hit.
connie Tonna
Nov 29th 2009, 23:47
giving speeding tickets to an amulance is ridiculous---animal lives are important too and the government should make every effort and continue to finance this service.
Monica Pace Bonello
Nov 29th 2009, 23:14
I totally agree with all your comments, only 2 weeks previous I called to used this service and was taken on a total wild goose chase, it took us nearly 4 hours to get someone from Noah's ark to send out the ambulance after numerous calls, after which when they arrived after being told how busy they were they arrived with a clean empty ambulance and finally picked the dog up. The worst was the person taking the calls, he was rude and was not ready to assure me in the least that the ambulance would take in the dog, whom i believe needed to be put down. I strongly believe that serious persons need to take care of these services and not let the public down thus the service will be strengthened, people will believe more in it and public money will be allocated. I also think that we need training, a compasionate answer or like the Animal Sanctuary, whom called back after my desperate plea to them. We did not give up but others will and this has to be stopped we need to fight for our animal rights!!!!!!
Lorraine Vella
Nov 28th 2009, 07:13
It is never enough the praise that Fabio and his people ought to receive. They do a pristine job, and the around the clock help they give to poor animals is to be praised.
Not the same can be said to the surroundings within which they work though. Speeding tickets for an ambulance??? U ejja, get real! Ambulances for humans are exempt, and so should the animal ambulance! For heaven's sake, this is an ambulance, there to help save lives! Ok, animal lives, but still lives. They suffer and hurt and bleed as much as we humans do!
And another thing, is the country in such a bad state that it cannot afford to give Noah's Ark the money it needs to have this ambulance running? The gov spends loads of money on 'silly' things and fake emergency calls and loads of other things... is it possible that there isn't some money available for our animal friends?n???
Dr Jennifer Williams
Nov 27th 2009, 20:06
So after waiting so long for this service, the government is considering scrapping it. Why is it that the most basics needs of animals are put so far behing everything else. This ambulance service should be supported at all costs. A civilized society does not leave animals injured or dying and in pain by the side of the road. Lets not go back to the dark ages!
Edward Camilleri
Nov 25th 2009, 19:18
This country has lost all values. We have money for anything, but not for an animal ambulance. Reading J. Farrugia's reply makes one wonder if he is "tad' demm u l-laham" like other animals.
An animal ambulance is important, much more important than picking up carcases Edwin Mifsud! If you have some concience then it is very difficult to be near an injured animal and you cannot help it.
I beg the government to continue running the service, at least until a permanent solution is found. Why not take 1 Euro from our taxes every year for this service and also the ta'Qali animal rescue centre?
Franco Farrugia
Nov 25th 2009, 18:25
@ J Farrugia - Galadarba ambulanza ghall-bniedem hija b'xejn, ma narax ghaliex wiehed ghandu jhallas ghal ambulanza tal-annimali. L-Istat ghandu jkopri t-tnejn!
J Farrugia
Nov 25th 2009, 18:23
@ Joe Vorcellino - No one is above the law. Ambulances carrying human beings have to stop at traffic lights so what's so important with an injured animal? Have you lost all sense of proportion and even your own morality? Why should this animal ambulance be given special preference when a human being is more important than an animal? And if there are no funds to organise such a service why instroduce it at all? If you dont have the means to keep it going stop it, otherwise it will run in the red. And those who want such ambulances (instead of taking the injured animal to the vet in their own vehicles) have to dig deep into their pockets so that the service will not stop, or otherwise charge for the service. Nothing is free not even for the animals.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Nov 25th 2009, 16:54
I DO HOPE FOR THE LOVE OF THE ANIMALS THIS SERVICE WILL NOT DISCONTINUE DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS. I BELIEVE THE STATE SHOULD PROVIDE ENOUGH FUNDS TO KEEP IT RUNNING FOREVER.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 25th 2009, 16:53
@ Edwin Mifsud: An animal ambulance is NOT, repeat, NOT some sort of glorified scammel which removes dirt from the streets so that our beloved children may be protected!!!
Edwin Mifsud
Nov 25th 2009, 16:46
I called the ambulance about a month ago because somebody hit a cat breaking its spine and left it there.
The cat was dying a slow death unable to move its hind legs and when it would have finally died the carcas would have attracted rats, flies and what other scavengers.
My call was made at around 23:00 (to The Police HQ, a precausion against hoaxers) and the ambulance arrived 45 minutes later.
The cat was picked up and I presume put to sleep ending its misery.
While thanking the people resonsable for their care to animals I wish to point out that even if it is to free the streets, and our children from possible infections the service should not be stopped.
Jon Vercellono
Nov 25th 2009, 11:20
And ironically, the car which hit the dog probably was speeding in the first place.
Jon Vercellono
Nov 25th 2009, 10:59
I hope the police are conscientious enough to stop and issue speeding tickets to ALL Ambulances going over the "speed limit". Agenda? I pray a coordinated effort is made to both maintain, fund, and sustain this service - including a more proactive role of ALL members of civil society.