Victoria Council denies SPCA Gozo claims

ann mary corkett

Dec 12th 2009, 10:35

Since Antoine Cremona is such an obvious animal lover and so rightly supportive of the good works of the local council maybe he would like to assist in helping the local government find new accommodation for abandonned and vulnerable creatures. I am sure the SPCA would welcome the support of someone who can cut through the several thousand miles of red tape that seems to surround this issue.
In my view the SPCA seem to be doing all the work, raising all the money, caring for all the animals while others have the bare faced cheek to criticize.

ann mary corkett

Dec 12th 2009, 10:15

I cannot believe that any illicit drug user or person bent on clandestine promiscuity would do it in the cat shelter because they would cause twenty or so curious dogs to set up such a cacophony of barking that it would be made public instantly. And for the record I went to the site soon after it had happened and whilst it may not have been deliberately vandalised you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
Anyway, SHAME on you VIctoria council, it seems that it is ok for Gozo SPCA to shoulder your responsibility for the management of stray and abandonned animals while you sit back and criticize. You havent even managed to find a new shelter for the gozitan and maltese animals that are dumped in VIctoria. Wise up and support this organisation they are saving you a lot of public embarrassment on a daily basis. I dont see you volunteering to take over the considerable problem of caring for mis treated and vuilnerable dogs and cats . How many tourists do you think you would have if Gozo was overun with starving strays being badly treated.

A. Grech

Dec 1st 2009, 22:08

"This present council is committed to change the situation and give life to one of the last open green spaces in the City, thus preserving the ecology and bettering the environment.;;
Dear Vict. Local Council.. Do you mean by this statement that the previous Vict. L.C. and or the Ministry for Gozo did not give a dime at least regarding this area. If yes, that's a great certificate for both. If No, than what did you mean?

Brian Chircop

Dec 1st 2009, 18:35

Dear Rabat LC,

I understand that cats can be promiscuous but I still have to see cats doing gross vandalism, abusing drugs, and using sanitary towels!!!!


It's easy to blame cats for all the problems...

All this in the name of Eco Gozo!!!!

SUSAN PITT

Dec 1st 2009, 14:38

First let us remember the cats never asked to live outside in the first place, they are only there because they were dumped, and were being fed and neutered by the kindness of strangers. They would much rather have someone's lap to sit on than get wet cold and unwanted. It is a great shame that an agreement cannot be made over this colony. It would be very hard to move them as that is their territory, and they know nowhere else. Cats cannot just be up and moved, please sort something out between the two sides. l spend most of my week raising money by working in our charity shop in Qawra for THe stray Animal Support Group, and believe me it can be heartbreaking. We also fed a colony in St Paul's and go to Little Armier three times a week to feed a colony, thankfully others help by doing the other dys. Please sort it out!!.

Jon Vercellono

Dec 1st 2009, 14:14

@Antoine Cremona - No licenses are required - as the SASG website states - when discussing the shelters in Malta - Members of SASG encourage local councils and hoteliers to adopt the concept of a 'cat cafe' in their area as this will be to the advantage of their locality. A delilict eye-sore can easily be transformed into an attractive recreation area and declared a cat-friendly zone by the council. A feeding station and a few cat shelters can easily be provided by every council. This will serve to encourage cleanliness and to educate their community into caring for the abandoned, homeless and hungry poor creatures, who were calously abandoned by uncaring owners. SASG would undertake to neuter the stray cats in these areas.

This is precisely what occured in Sliema - the Council declared it so. In that consideration - being that councils have it within their power to do so; one can read the Victoria Council Press Release in a different light - that of not caring in the face of indisputable evidence to the contrary what they are trying to convey. With that in mind, I would avoid any fenkatas in Victoria sponsored by the Council!

Franco Farrugia

Dec 1st 2009, 13:14

@ Antoine Cremona - It takes arrogance and ignorance not to realise the good that comes out of the presence of animals. Animals are not easy to relocate at will. The Local Council, on the contrary, should be ashamed for treating a wonderful organisation as SPCA Gozo. It appears that you have not been touched by the love of animals.

Jon Vercellono

Dec 1st 2009, 13:10

Has anyone bothered to check what has happened to the cats involved? I hope Mrs. Berry will provide a response and pictures again.
As to Antoine Cremona - As stated yesterday, a number of Local Councils in Malta (Floriana and Sliema) have set up centres such as this to allow for neutering, centralization of feeding (and its waste), prevention of cats going through the garbage, etc. etc. Additionally, the positive comments of many people also were recorded. Finally, in Nadur - they have one established which the Victoria Council can use as an example. After reading the stories of Nadur - as well as speaking to some of my Gozitan friends; I cannot tar the entire island - however, in this case - Victoria and Progress seem to be an oxymoron. Liasions with established NGO's are particularly important to a successful civil society. One can see with the remarks here and on the Gozo News just how seriously people take it.
I dont understand how the council can say they weren't aware of the Cat Colony (and yes - respect for animals is part of Catholic Doctrine) when the pictures have been amply provided showing the shelters.

Antoine Cremona

Dec 1st 2009, 12:26

At last some political will to rehabilitate an area in the middle of Victoria which has been in a shameful and dilapidated state for years.

After checking that these so called cat shelters are duly licensed and have been so throughout the years (something which I very much doubt), they should if anything be relocated elsewhere. In case they are abusive they should be removed forthwith.

For SPCA to try and in some way stifle this much needed project on these grounds is to say the least preposterous. Mayors and local councils are elected to serve the common good not to ensure they do not minimally disturb the existing status quo. Hats off to the council on this one.

Christian Sciberras

Dec 1st 2009, 12:10

Dr Joseph Mizzi - Yup, amidst broken glass.

Jon Vercellono

Dec 1st 2009, 11:35

If one views the pics on the Gozo News website; one can see the shelters in the foreground; and Mrs. Berry is right and correct - other pictures are included in the newsletter which is easily obtained on their website. The Cat Cafe' mentioned in Nadur however is a very good thing - despite the actions of the Victoria Council. Perhaps some money can be sent from Malta for the establishment or sponsorship of a full fledged Cat Cafe' in Victoria if it cannot be sponsored by the Victoria Council or those who elected that council.

Dr Joseph Mizzi

Dec 1st 2009, 10:06

I'm glad that the playing field in Victoria is being rehabilitated. In my childhood days, we use to spend hours playing there...

g.c.Forte

Dec 1st 2009, 08:56

@ Victoria Council.............O.K. You made your point. Now can any of you answer these questions please... A. Did the cats do all the vandalism you found ? B. Are the cats responsible for the drug abuses,syringes,sanitary towels, ect..ect..? C. Knowing that the cats were here before the humans, what right do we have to take their place ? After mentioning the problems you have, ( and I wish you to solve them), the Victoria Council said nothing of how to solve the problem...............of course of the cats.