Claudia Calleja
Smokey and Tita face bleak future
More please... Lack of funds at Noah’s Ark animal sanctuary has forced food portions to be halved. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Smokey, an abandoned Great Dane run over by a car some time ago, could end up back on the streets if the animal sanctuary that rescued it closes down due to lack of funds.
Oblivious to the financial struggles faced by Noah’s Ark sanctuary, the graceful animal trotted around the Mellieħa grounds that homes 150 rescued dogs.
“Unless the government helps us out, like it had said it would, we will have to close down by the end of the year,” founder, Fabio Ciappara, said.
“I’ll have no choice but to open the gates and let out all the dogs. At least, if they’re out there, they’d have a chance of finding something to eat rather than starve to death in here,” he said.
As he walked through the kennels, he picked up a half-empty bowl of food about to be served to Tita, a female Pit Bull that was a victim of dog fighting.
Tita barked eagerly in anticipation of her daily meal as Mr Ciappara sadly explained: “The situation is so bad I had to instruct volunteers who work here to give the dogs half a portion of food mixed with water to bloat them.”
Mr Ciappara said he felt “backstabbed” by the government that did not honour a gentlemen’s agreement reached with the sanctuary.
He explained that, last year, the government had given Noah’s Ark €15,000 to launch the animal ambulance service and operate it for six months. After seven months, the service was handed over to the Animal Welfare Department that still runs it and the government committed itself to pay for the food and medicine of the 90 dogs (30 of which had since been re-homed) taken in by Noah’s Ark through the ambulance service, Mr Ciappara said.
However, after being paid for the January and February expenses, the sanctuary received a government cheque for March and April with a note saying this was the “final payment”.
Reacting to this, a Rural Affairs Ministry spokesman said the government had honoured the agreement and also offered to take over the animals retrieved through this initiative so they could be cared for by the department but the sanctuary refused.
Mr Ciappara said he did not want to allow the department to take the dogs because he believed they would not be taken care of as well as they were at his sanctuary.
He called on the government to live up to its word and help out sanctuaries through funding. The ministry spokesman explained that, through the annual budgets, funds were allocated for animal welfare in general.
The ministry said it continued to liaise with all animal welfare NGOs to assess their needs in the light of the contribution they made to society. “Any assistance provided should not address the recurrent expenditure but should focus on the capital investment needed by the sanctuaries to operate efficiently. All assistance must be justified within an agreed action plan,” the spokesman said.
In the 2008 Budget, the government allocated €349,000 to sanctuaries. Half the amount went to a national neutering programme and the other half was divided among sanctuaries to upgrade their facilities.
Noah’s Ark had spent most of the money on fencing a large stretch of land, neighbouring the sanctuary, which the government had given to it under a management contract.
Mr Ciappara said last year the sanctuary had spent €15,500 on food, €5,600 on medical care and €9,000 on maintenance.
As donations from the public dropped, government support was essential if the sanctuary, set up in 2004, was to keep rescuing abandoned animals from the streets.
He pointed out that the ministry had done a great job in setting up the Animal Welfare Department, the animal ambulance and the aftercare centre in Ta’ Qali. However, the reality was that the ambulance and the aftercare centre catered for injured strays and not abandoned ones. The latter were cared for by sanctuaries that gave them a home and took them in from the streets, cutting their risk of getting injured in the first place.
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S Vella
Oct 21st 2010, 13:56
Mr Ciappara said he felt “backstabbed” by the government that did not honour a gentlemen’s agreement reached with the sanctuary......
Who is not betrayed in one way or other by this government????
http://kaccaturi.com/eddie.html
Tim Vella
Oct 21st 2010, 11:35
It's true that dogs don't vote... BUT WE DO! We should make sure that only an animal loving government is elected with our vote.
petra zammit
Oct 14th 2010, 22:46
Please help ,they are so well taken care of . I'm really sorry to hear about this :(
Abby Easby
Oct 14th 2010, 10:05
Please show your support and join "Save Noahs Ark" on Facebook. Details will be posted of fundraising ideas and a petition. The government will have to listen to us if we can get support from as many of you as possible. Please......
Anthony Mizzi
Oct 13th 2010, 20:25
Please HELP! Make a visit Noah’s Ark animal sanctuary part of your Sunday family outing. Take a dog our in the countryside surrounding the sanctuary, leave a donation or better still adopt a dog, with responsibility and be paid back with undying love , loyalty , companionship and affection. When will Minister Pullicino visit the sanctuary with his entourage of reporters and media to instill awareness and the much needed financial aid for our of Noah’s Ark? I just hope that “classism” is not instilled in help and funds being given animal sanctuaries as well!
Mark Vella Bardon (Noah's Ark)
Oct 13th 2010, 19:33
@Roger Flett From enquiries that we have made with the EU and EU local office we are told that no EU funds were utilised in the capital expenditure of St. Francis Centre Ta'Qali. There were rumours that EU was contributing towards the funding the centre. At the end of the day one does not know what to believe!
Mark Vella Bardon (Noah's Ark)
Oct 13th 2010, 18:37
@Marco Cremona Yes, we have grave doubts about how the AWD are keeping their dogs and the stories they tell us whenever there is a media event. Everyone who has been in animal rescue cannot understand their statemetns. In August they said they rescued 800 animals and homed 25o. What about the 550? Anybody's guess of course. On launching the much awaited St. Francis care centre the minster announced 2000 rescues and over half were homed. These exaggerations do not reflect any seriousness. As you and I agreed, it would be cheaper for the government fo help us feed the dogs than take them under their care, unless they have a quick way of elimination that reduces costs. Sancutaries were given a pre-eleciton promise that there would be ANNUAL funding, seperate from any funding of the after care centre. The funding was on condition that all sanctuaries were in agreement on the use of these funds. We therefore agreed that 50% would be for neutering and 50% for upgrading to phanthom minimum standards. These funds were only allocated in 2008. We at Noah's Ark upheld standards from day one. They are there for all to see.
Marco Cremona
Oct 13th 2010, 20:15
@Mark Vella Bardon I am more inclined to believe your version than a Ministry spokesperson's. My suggestion is to run an online petition (facebook, adverts, etc.) quoting pre-election promises and holding the Ministry/government to its promises. Try to get other animal sanctuaries on board. Turn it into an electoral issue. I know you'd rather be using your energy to fund-raise but in the long term benefit of the animals you support this is a battle you have to fight, unfortunately. Unfortunately in this country you have to shame government into action. A pity, but that's the way it is.
Abby Easby
Oct 13th 2010, 16:18
Fabio - is it worth getting a petition together? Me and others are disgusted that the government will not keep their promise?? How can we help??
Sylvia Zammit
Oct 13th 2010, 16:04
It would really be a shame if this sanctuary were to close down for lack of funds. As it is, we cannot cope with the constant demand for homes for unwanted dogs.
Mr.Alfred Pace - please look up the meaning of 'sanctuary' before you suggest killing dogs that nobody will adopt. I understand that in some so called shelters - where dogs are kept in small cages on their own for ex - it would be unfair to keep a dog for years. As long as the dogs get the right care, a sanctuary can be a 'home away from home'. However, this is only possible at great cost!
fbonello
Oct 13th 2010, 15:38
One thing is certain, DOGS DO NOT HAVE VOTES.!!
Michael Tanti
Oct 13th 2010, 15:01
My wife and I adopted our dog shane from Noahs Ark. He is now a great part of our family hes loving playful and would never give him up. Everyone that knows our dog remembers the first day we brought him home Buses scared him you couldnt even move a chair in the house with out him getting startled. Now he plays nothing scares him unless it me when hes chewing on something hes not supposed to. Losing Noahs ark on this island will just mean more strays and animals being put down. Why build a whole new animal welfare sanctuary when you have a great one in Noahs ark. give them the money you are gonna spend on that and let noahs ark take care of it. Again this Govt thinking about whos pockets they can grease instead of looking at the big picture.
To all those who have gotten there family pet from Noahs ark stand up to this JOKE OF A GOVT i swear GONZI looks like he is hiding something everytime hes on tv
fabio ciappara
Oct 13th 2010, 14:16
The two dogs in the photo are not Tita and Smokey, those are two other dogs that are at the shelter. Tita is a pitbull that was rescued by us, in a very sad state as she was obviously used for Pit fights. She was skin and bones, but now she's in perfect health and if I may, the most loving dog I've ever encountered.
All we are asking is for the minister to keep his promise and help us out.
Marco Cremona
Oct 13th 2010, 14:04
Mr. Ciappara has made a very serious allegation that he needs to substantiate....he'd rather let the dogs out in the street than pass them on to the Animal Welfare Department because they would not be taken care of adequately. If this is the case, he needs to provide evidence to corraborate his argument.
I do not agree with the Ministry's spokesperson who said that government should only fund capital investment and will not provide assistance to address capital expenditure. Why is this the case? If organizations like Noah's Ark are sorted in terms of premises, isn't the current expenditure (food, water, medical treatment, maintenance) the biggest headache for these NGOs? It's the operating costs (and funds/donations) that will make or break these initiatives.
However, I fully agree with the Ministry's spokesperson that all assistance must be justified within an agreed action plan (and in full accountability and transparency, I would add).
I write these comments after having made a donation to the Sanctuary. The poor dogs are not to blame for disagreements between people.
Roger Flett
Oct 13th 2010, 18:30
I think that the reason is that the money largely comes from the EU, and they will only fund non-recurring expenses such as neutering or infra-structure. It is both a blessing and a problem for the NGO's, because unless refurbishment or new building is taking place, it can be difficult to allocate/justify large sums of money that would better be spent elsewhere. Usually spending on infrastructure is insignificant compared to the day to day recurring costs such as food and vets bills, that looking after abandoned animals entails. Unfortunately that is the nature of bureaucracy, money is often wasted because it is there and has to be spent, rather than targeting real needs.
Mark Vella Bardon (Noah's Ark)
Oct 13th 2010, 13:42
It is unbelieveable how the government preferred to take the dogs, as if they were merchandise.
Were they were to keep them properly? it takes only a simple calculation that feeding them alone was the cheaper alternative.
@Alfred Pace
I will not enter the debate on euthanasia. It is over a year ago that I called for a national conference on stray dogs to be attended by the government, the NGOs, vets, media and general public.
The dogs in the picture are neither Smokey nor Tita. Smokey is a Great Dane and Tita is a pit bull.
All the dogs at the sanctuary are really happy, come and see for yourself. None escape and a few want to return after being homed.
In fact, the only reason that they would probably run out for, if our gates were to be opened, would be in search of food. Any dog let out by mistake over the past years, rare and isolated cases, returned within the hour!
Yes microchip registration will be esential, only if enforced of course!
It appears that my plea will be implemented at last ... I only voiced all dog lovers after all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t96pagM1W2k
Jon Vercellono
Oct 13th 2010, 12:52
Things like this which really matter apparently don't to the Ministry of Finance - MSIDA flooding for instance, and yes animal sanctuaries. If you agreed to give them the money; give them the money. I hope we don't have to put a plaque up by the Parliament on Stilts enumerating the number of animals' lives which were sacrificed and went into the building of such a useless and bilious project.
Alfred pace
Oct 13th 2010, 11:36
I am a dog lover but we have to be cruel to be kind. If a dog can;t be homed within so many month it must be humanly put to sleep. It is not fair for a dog to be kept in a sanctury for such a long time.This is done in both america and England. Dogs must be microciped and only given to serious owners. It is wrong for the sancturay to release the dogs in the street as these can be hit by cars or starve to death. Anyone desagree with what I am saying should put his hands in his pocket or adopt a dog. I have two adopted dogs and I can't adopt more because I live in a flat. By the way Tita is not a pitbull but a cross gundog.
mario aquilina
Oct 13th 2010, 18:47
People who live in flats, should not have dogs. There should be a law banning all animals from apartment blocks. People like you are an inconsiderate lot. People like you do not give a monkey about your neighbours, with your dog's constant barking and the mess they leave about, and do not tell me that yours doesn't bark, unless you have thought him to talk. And it is not fair either to go to work and leave the dog barking at every noise it hears, sitting behind your front door, disturbing our peace, not being able to have a decent sleep, after a hard night shift..
D. Mercieca
Oct 13th 2010, 19:29
Mr. Aquilina I can tell you that well educated dogs dont bark even when they are on their own. Our dog is well educated and he doesnt bark. When he barks, with just a look he understands that he can not bark. I hope you are not one of those playing loud music, or mayb you have your own kids crying crying and shouting all day long.. If i dont want dogs barking all day long, I dont want children crying and shouting all day long. My nieghbour on the right hand side have got 2 dogs.. mayb once in a month i hear them barking. On the left my nieghbour takes care of her grand children crying and pissing me off everyday.. After my night shift i cant sleep in peace just because of children not the dogs..I have nothing against children but should we ban children living in appartments??????? so pls do not generalize
C Mizzi
Oct 13th 2010, 19:58
@ D Mercieca,I fully agree with you!I live in an appartment myself and my neighbour is constantly either banging the door or sound full on or swearing,which is a terrible nuisance,I have a dog and 2 cats,my dog is with me wherever I go and she doesn`t bother anyone,unless they see me ever knew we had a dog. @Mario Aquilina,I hope noone decides to take your idea seriously!! I am a house-wife and my dog never bothers anyone.......unfortunately not all animal lovers afford to own a house with a garden on this rock.......as for some ignorant people who are always annoying others they should be the ones to be banned from appartments or at least have a course on being civilised!
mario aquilina
Oct 14th 2010, 01:23
I would love to find out what your apartments smells like, and how many dog and cat hairs do you find in your dinners and all over your clothes.
I'm sure that your educated dogs carry a packet of tissues with them, just in case.
Get a dog for Christmas and kick it out in January.
My neighbours makes as much noise as their dog, when they try to silence it. Would love to hear a comment from a police officer, as to how many complains they receive regard barking.
C Mizzi
Oct 14th 2010, 09:56
@Mario Aquilina I would love for you to come over to inspect and dine in my appartment to see for yourself that I`m a spotless person but since as you said `we are inconsiderate people` I wouldn`t even considerate!Besides my dog does not need tissues,it is very happy to do its needs on a petpad and when ready is wiped with dog wipes(items which are provided for the use of animals).Regards police reports about barking I suggest you check some statistics about filed reports about annoying and inconsiderate people first!Believe me none of my animals will be going anywhere!!........No matter what your next dumb idea would be!!
d.mercieca
Oct 14th 2010, 14:24
Very well said C. Mizzi..@Mr. Aquilina its good for you to know that it doesnt mean that if you have a pet your apartment is dirty.. it shows that u never had pets so u dont know what it means exactly..and i m sorry although you love to come to my apartment to see how it smells like, u r not going to find out because guests like you are not welcome at all. If you would like to come over for christmas we wownt kick you out the following January but on St Stephens day.....go and live a life...... Thanks God the number of animal lovers by time is increasing...
mario aquilina
Oct 14th 2010, 14:56
The reason these dogs are in such a state and in this situation is because, as someone has put it, 'Animal lovers are on the increase'. That contradicts what we often reads in the news.
Mercieca and Mizzi, it looks like someone has kicked your kennels. It's a dog's world.
Have a break, and get the dog to take you out for a bit of fresh air, for a change.
C Mizzi
Oct 14th 2010, 15:20
@ Mario Aquilina........Boy I wish it was a dog`s world!!!......Believe me there would be much less hatred!!!!! Besides thanks for the suggestion but me and my dog get more than enough of fresh air...thanks again!
Fleur Hili
Oct 15th 2010, 15:15
@ Aquilina, I guess is that you work nightshift and you have neighbors that have dogs, so for you the only solution to your problem is banning dogs from apartments, not teaching people how to be responsible for their pets.
Well I live in Bugibba, and a lot of people come to Bugibba for a take away and leave rubbish and disturb us throughout the summer nights and on Sundays in winter. So lets say you are one of them., by your reasoning I should put you down cause that is exactly what I would love to do to these people who invade, dirty and disturb our peace................ so sir get a life and a pet so you will learn how to live and let live!