Ariadne Massa
Gozo SPCA forced to close centre
Treat time... Berry Betty with the creatures she loves most.
Betty Berry, who runs the Gozo SPCA, is resigning and closing the centre's doors to dogs with immediate effect because she feels it has become impossible to work in the present cramped premises.
The decision was triggered by the death of a puppy that was horribly attacked by an older terrier while they were both in the care of the Gozo SPCA.
Despite prompt veterinary attention and subsequent nursing, the puppy died from its wounds, leaving Ms Berry, the centre manager, distraught.
"This should never have happened because it was a direct result of the cramped and unsuitable premises that the Gozo SPCA has struggled to work in for over 30 years," Ms Berry said.
Gozo SPCA has been in constant negotiations with officials of the Gozo Ministry for more than 20 years with a view to renting a plot of land.
"It is well known that the cost of building a new centre will be met from funds the SPCA already has. During these negotiations we proposed a number of suitable sites but, sadly, despite many words of encouragement and promises of help, nothing has ever transpired," she added.
Since Gozo was a tiny island, any land suitable for a purpose-built centre was all owned by the government, the centre pointed out.
When contacted, the ministry confirmed that talks on the allocation of alternative premises had been going on for a long time.
A ministry spokesman said an official together with Joe Camilleri, a representative of SPCA Gozo, were engaged in discussions with officials from the Land Department and the Joint Office.
"The sites we proposed were refused by the society but about two months ago another potential site was identified and, subsequently, proposed to SPCA," the spokesman said.
The ministry proceeded to establish ownership of land and the society's representatives, the spokesman added, had been in contact with the farmer who had an agricultural lease on the land. They also made enquiries regarding the relative planning authority permits required for this development.
A meeting between the ministry and the SPCA was scheduled for early next week, the spokesman said, adding that the ministry had supported the centre through assistance in maintenance, refurbishment works and assigning a ministry employee who worked with the society since November 2002.
Ms Berry, 66, who first got involved with the Gozo SPCA in 1977, also sits on the Animal Welfare Council, which is drafting animal welfare legislation.
She pointed out that the proposed legislation included very specific requirements for the construction of animal shelters, none of which were met by the existing Gozo SPCA premises.
"One of the many reasons for this legislation is to minimise the possibility of such horrific events occurring," she said.
In recognition of this risk, Gozo SPCA last year took steps to strictly limit the number of dogs in their care hoping this would relieve the situation.
The SPCA and its 20 volunteers are so shocked by the puppy's death they decided they will no longer subject dogs to such unsuitable conditions.
Since Gozo SPCA has no alternative premises, nor do they kill healthy animals, the consequence was that, with immediate effect, they have ceased to rescue and house stray dogs.
The 16 dogs at the centre will be re-homed. The emergency animal ambulance service for dogs in Gozo will also cease to operate.
Last year, the Gozo SPCA picked up 356 stray and abandoned animals and Ms Berry said closing down was not an easy decision to make.
"There are many horrific stories attached to this statistic and I can no longer personally deal with the added anguish and sorrow that could easily be avoided," she said.
The Gozo SPCA will be reviewing its effectiveness and viability over the coming months. It will continue running its cat and dog neutering programme and will still be admitting kittens and cats to the centre. Last year, 70 neutered and vaccinated kittens were re-homed.
It regrets the inconvenience to the community and directs them to the police, the local vet, the Animal Welfare Department or the Gozo Ministry for any dog-related emergencies.
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Dr Jennifer Williams
Mar 1st 2010, 15:59
What will happen to all the animals needing help in Gozo? If the SPCA goes there will be no half way house giving these animals a chance to be rehomed. This can only mean that stray animals are immediately destroyed. The basic level of care for animals cannot be allowed to disappear altogether. What a huge step backwards! The government needs to put money into organizations which look after animals-instead they leave organizations, many of them voluntary to run their on a shoestring until the volunteers or staff despair. The government needs to step in now with a plot of land, finances and a promise of sustained financial help before all the volunteers give up heart completely. The government DOES have the money to do this. At the same time the government announces that it has enough money to build a "life sciences centre" aka an animal testing laboratory. The 20 Million spent on could be used to improve the lives of Malta's strays-instead it will go towards making more animals' lives a misery. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100228/education/life-sciences-research-centre-to-be-set-up-in-san-gwann
Irene Smith
Feb 19th 2010, 13:42
Good on you Bev. well said.
Bev. Lewis Wales
Feb 18th 2010, 21:35
I have read all these comments for the past two days and yes i agree with all of them,but what it really boils down to is that although they make us believe that the Maltese and in this case Gozo are a real warm hearted people, yes the majority of them are but when i read this sort of disgusting going ons by the Minister supposedly the Queen or shall i say smiling queenie? i don't think they are what they make us to believe they are in essence,and believe you me Gozo is out for us after all this and further more i will not recommend it to anyone. But however the main obstacle is the minister of Gozo who is in her power i believe to get off that high pedistal of hers, retire and leave the job to the people that can hadle this situation. Its a wonder Betty Berry stuck it for so long, only god knows and the poor animals who is going to care for them now? i suggest investing in more plastic refus bags as the starving wondering dogs and cats will be creating havoc scavenging in all the streets of Gozo. Shame.
c.catania
Feb 18th 2010, 18:24
Im sorry to hear this cause it seams thats the goverment doesn t like animals which are part of nature but is more interested in material things in other words money.Start up helping our friends not only your friends.
Joseph Ellis
Feb 18th 2010, 15:32
Definitely, a stray animal rehoming centre should be established in Gozo that can be used by all NGO's that can take care of stray animals on the lines of the Ta' Qali centre.
In the past, I have proposed the use of a part of the derelict racecourse complex in ta' Hamet as a stray animal rehoming centre. This huge complex is terribly unutilized and there is ample space for a rehoming centre without compromising the little horse-racing that takes place.
It is most unfortunate that the Gozo and Comino Local Plan was changed at the eleventh hour , probably at the behest of racehorse owners who hold some clout in Gozo, to torpedo a development application that had already been submitted. The same DCC board that had approved the Mistra project and other questionable developments applied the book and refused the application.
I still think that this is the best venue for an stray animal rehoming centre in Gozo and the local plan should be modified to allow such a possibility. The earlier this is done the better for the welfare of the strays that roam the island.
JOHN BORG
Feb 18th 2010, 15:27
imissna nisthu, basta hafna paroli fil vojt fuq il volontarjat, imbghad lanqas ahna kapaci insibu post mnejn jistghu joperaw sura ta nies!! mela affaraijiet bhall dawn ghandhom jiehdu is snin!!! :-((((
Joseph Ellis
Feb 18th 2010, 15:22
Gozo SPCA would do well to disclose the number of occasions they had in the past to have a decent rehoming centre for strays on the island which they let go.
Despite having inherited a big bequest from a Swiss gentleman who frequented Gozo, Gozo SPCA chose not to buy a big house and adjacent plot of land on the road to ta' Pinu which was very advantageously priced since it was opposite a dairy farm. This would have made a very strategic rehoming centre.
Another opportunity was provided by the possibility to take on lease big premises and adjacent land at the Gozitano complex. This lease was made possible by the intervention of minister Debono and was for a 10 year period at a low rent but some people thought otherwise and passed a vote of no-confidence in me and the rest of the incumbent committee which had negotiated the lease agreement.
It is sad that due to these acts of pique or lack of courage, animals have suffered so much over the years. Instead of resorting to theatrics, these same individuals should own up to these serious mistakes.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 18th 2010, 13:43
@ Charles Grech: Right, let's do that ... and then, what?
charles grech
Feb 18th 2010, 12:57
This government does not give a hoot about animals. Just look at the two cars donated to the Saint Francis Foundation by foreigners in 2004 and in 2007 to be used as animal ambulances. It costs go vernment nothing to waive off dues - registration fees etc. - to enable SFFA to commissione these vehicles to rush sick and injured animals to veterinarians. LETS ALL TEACH GOVERNMENT A LESSON BY USING OUR VOTES.
Jon Vercellono
Feb 18th 2010, 10:23
However, how many thousands of euros are spent on paving, etc...surely a fraction of that amount can be spared. Is the PM afraid of Minister De Bono and "rocking the boat"? Can't he override something this important and grant the land necessary. Many improvements have been made regarding animal welfare in Malta. However, the articles regarding the actions of the Victoria Local Council last year may be indicative of a different attitude regarding animal welfare there.
Joseph Spiteri
Feb 18th 2010, 10:15
i felt sickened when i heard this on the radio yesterday. these people give up their life to give these abandoned dogs a chance by providing love, attention and shelter, and the government does nothing at all to help :((
John Azzopardi
Feb 18th 2010, 10:13
Gozo has been falling back for years now. Airlink has been discontinued, main roads like Ramla are a mess, employment opportunities way down and lacking, no new jobs have been created, tourist projects such as new hotels are are non existance, eco island is just a word on the books,etc etc. Now a much needed shelter for dogs is gone. I blame everyone on this. I blame the Government, minister, the gozitan people for being so meek and do not demand their due rights, and all gozitan politicians from both sides for not doing enough for our island and the people who keep electing them.
Albert Scerri
Feb 18th 2010, 10:08
So, so sad. I wish there is something that could be done to help both these people's companions and their overworked helpers/keepers. These animal welfare shelters and their staff deserve and should receive all the help they can get, be it financial, moral or material.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 18th 2010, 10:07
This is very sad news for strays in Gozo. And it is also sad to think that the authorities are allowing this neglect to take place. Animals and animal-care, animal respect, and awareness of the needs of animals, are of PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE in any country that boasts of being civilised and modern! We are forgetting the needs of these animals, especially during this time of economic crisis. Let us hope that there won't be more cruelty taking place on the island of Gozo and that strays will not find themselves going for the chop, literally, because there are no defenders left to look after them and speak on their behalf!