SPCA overflowing with kittens
High-pitched purrs filled every corner of the modest room, as homeless kittens thrust their outstretched paws through cage bars in a playful manner.
Stevie sat up straight when he heard his carer’s soothing voice. Rolling on his back he reached out towards animal welfare officer June Laferla and grabbed hold of her hand.
The tiny 10-week-old grey kitten, named after the popular American singer Stevie Wonder, is blind.
He was found outside SPCA’s quarters in Floriana, in a plastic bucket. Suffering from a bad eye infection, the kitten was going to be put down by the vet, but Ms Laferla wanted to give him a second chance.
Stevie spent weekends at his carer’s home.
Currently, there are more than 70 kittens at the largest animal homing centre. During difficult times, the administration office is full of orphan kittens which need to be kept under constant supervision.
“The house is overflowing. Kittens that are too young to have left their mother and are fighting for survival need to be fed every two hours,” Sue Simons, fund-raising and communications manager, said.
“Some kittens were found dumped in skips or buried alive. Unfortunately, due to their very poor health condition, we’re bound to lose some, but we do everything possible to get them back on their paws,” she said.
SPCA carers even take pets home when they are done from work, so that they can keep them under supervision and feed them.
Ms Simons, who has been in Malta for 16 months, was sponsored by Dogs Trust UK to work with SPCA in Malta because of the “desperate situation that the homing centre is in”.
The SPCA relies totally on volunteers, which make up the larger part of its personnel, and donations.
The 135-year-old organisation is officially recognised by the Maltese government as the national animal welfare organisation.
“The government uses SPCA funds constantly, yet the NGO receives no financial support from the state. The government allocated some land for SPCA in Ta’ Qali so that we could build a new homing centre but we’re asking it to come up with the additional funds needed to build the centre. SPCA raised some funds but has a shortfall of €200,000,” she said.
The proposed home will be able to house more abandoned dogs and cats, which are at the moment being turned away. It will also have boarding facilities and house an educational centre.
“It’s heartbreaking to turn homeless animals away, especially since we wouldn’t know where they’ll end up,” Ms Simons said.
“No healthy dog or cat is put down. Some animals become residents, especially if they are too traumatised.
One of our oldest residents has been here for nine years,” Ms Simons said.
SPCA will be launching a Sponsor A Dog scheme, where people can sponsor a dog or a cat for €1 a week, and receive regular updates about the animal among others.
All cats and dogs adopted from SPCA are neutered and microchipped, and are mainly socialised and litter trained. Donations for cats are €40 while for dogs a donation of €50 is requested. The home is open between 10.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, and between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday. Those interested can call on 2123 0468.
Anyone who wishs to contribute can send an SMS on 5061 7599 for a donation of €2.10; 5061 8199 for a donation of €4.19, 5061 8999 for a donation of €6.29 and 5061 9299 for a donation of €10.49.
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Anthony Borg
Jun 7th 2011, 20:52
"The Government allocated some land for SPCA in Ta' Qali"
It is truly a pity that when other options surely exist, fully cultivated, irrigated land should be destroyed. Animal welfare is a noble cause but why sacrifice precious, fertile agricultural land when so much abandoned and unused properties exist.
Sandro Borg
Jun 7th 2011, 20:17
"The government allocated some land for SPCA in Ta’ Qali so that we could build a new homing centre"
More of our limited agricultural land going literally to the dogs! However noble the cause, rural land should never be sacrificed so indiscriminately. SPCA are seeking to destroy around 30 tumoli of irrigated, agricultural land full of fruit trees, vines and produce not to mention the flora and fauna that abound. There are other developed sites that could be easily used for this purpose without such wanton destruction. Are donors and volunteers aware of this aspect of this proposed development?
Mr leo attard
Jun 7th 2011, 13:37
How can anyone not want to have one of these cute kittens as a pet -- no, companion -- at home? Come on, have a heart! Give them a home! you might ask: Why don't I put my foot where my mouth is, set the example and adopt one myself? Why? Because I already have 8 inside the home and am taking care of an outdoor colony that amounts to 12! My wife and I sometimes complain of the expenses and time-consumption, but we wouldn't get rid of one of them! And we are totally down when one of the outside cats doesn't show up! they make wonderful companions, each having his / her own unique character! Sometimes they get you angry, but as a rule they bring a smile! The slide show above speaks for itself!
S Abela
Jun 7th 2011, 12:38
"The government allocated some land for SPCA in Ta Qali"
Even if for the most noble reason on earth, one would hope that the "some land" allocated to SPCA is not farmland or a green area to be converted into a homing centre with all sorts of structures to home dogs, cats, horses and so on. If this is the case, one should first consider if there are any disused structures in areas where a homing centre would be appropriately located. Maybe SPCA would not need so much money and might get this homing centre even earlier than hoped for.
Mr J Galea
Jun 7th 2011, 10:47
The SPCA Should have made their appeal for adoption during the last Sunday cruelty protest by the dog lovers.They can rest assured that by today no single kitten would have been left in the sanctuary.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110605/local/hundreds-turn-up-for-animal-cruelty-protest.369068
Mr Kenneth Gafa
Jun 7th 2011, 10:05
What we really need ta the moment is a Strays trapping and transportation service as many many strays could then be neutered/speyed at Happy Paws, free of charge. Many feeders and strays' carers are badly missing this service and colonies and starys are thus always increasing.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 7th 2011, 09:26
Donations are welcome, I have absolutely no doubt about that.
However, what is much more NEEDED is adoption of strays under the care of the various animal sanctuaries.
I appeal to you, the reader, taking time to read this: if you are thinking of bringing in a pet into your life or/and in the life of your family - another member of the family, that is, for that is what adoption is all about: a lifelong commitment - do not throw money away at the breeders'! Consider, at least, going round the sanctuaries and find a gentle soul, eager and happy to be part of your family.
I did this: I adopted two stray cats and they gave/give me the happiness that I could have never imagined: even asleep, the sheer bliss that I feel: I could stay hours, just watching that sleepy face!
An appeal to the breeders: please, please, stop making money from the animals that you have: those animals are not there to add to your financial interests. Their existence is not limited to mere breeding and bringing you money. Give strays a chance, please. With less breeding, people will consider all the more, the possibility of adopting strays.
Please, do not ignore this earnest message because it is coming from the heart like never before.
Do not call yourselves animal-lovers if you merely look after your pedigree pet at home - love has to break all barriers, love must include the most vulnerable of animals, the strays.
We need to be counted, we need to take action, and this is especially so in the wake of STAR's death. Let STAR be a shining star to all those who have expressed themselves strongly - if that dog meant anything to you, express it in a positive manner: and that is by looking after strays, by donating (especially in kind) to the sanctuaries and by adopting a cat or a dog FOR LIFE!
Another appeal - summer is fast approaching and the sanctuaries will be facing serious difficulties as far as volunteers are concerned. Throughout the year, these sanctuaries are usually manned by a small group of people, thus performing miracles. But these people need their holidays, and that is when extra volunteers are needed. I appeal especially to those senior students, out of school: how about dedicating one afternoon every other week to help out in these sanctuaries?
Please, do not turn away. These vulnerable animals need you - each one of us!
Maria Bonnici
Jun 7th 2011, 09:01
Adoption, adoption and Neutering, neutering, neutering..... just those solutions.
Mrs Carmen Borg
Jun 8th 2011, 00:39
I agree,
Neutering should be compulsary and no breeder should be able to sell these beautiful creatures without getting a Vet's certificate to confirm this. Non-compliance needs to be punished by loss of licence (there should be a licence system, (like other countries) and a substantial fine.
Anyone who buys pets from unlicensed breeders should be liable to the same fine.
Moreover, breeders should be banned until such time that all suitable animals housed in animal shelters are adopted out.