Stephanie Fsadni looks into the state many stray animals are found in, and what it takes to fight the conditions they suffer from and restore them back to full health.

Lynn was heavily pregnant and all skin and bone when she was picked up off the streets in Birżebbuġa. Fewer than 24 hours later, she gave birth to a litter of pups but, unfortunately, only two survived due to her undernourishment.

In severe cases of cat flu, they can lose their eyesight if not treated immediately

Charlie was risking his life when he was found sheltering underneath a trailer truck in Ta’ Qali. The dog, who is blind, was suffering from tick fever and a severe infection.

After continuous medication, appropriate treatment and loving care, both dogs regained weight and are now wagging their tails at the SPCA home in Floriana.

The centre currently cares for more than 80 dogs and 34 cats. These animals, picked up off the streets by the SPCA or brought in by kind-hearted people, are often found in a poor condition and need urgent medical attention.

Abandoned or stray dogs are commonly covered with fleas and ticks and have wounds. They often suffer from ringworm or ear and eye infections, which are all curable conditions. Cats are usually found in a worse situation than dogs.

Garfield was found under a pavement in Msida by a little girl. He had cat flu, an eye infection and was covered in fleas.

Cat flu and ringworm are common feline conditions. In severe cases of cat flu, they can lose their eyesight if not treated immediately.

From the moment they enter the SPCA, animals receive a constant regime of medical care, veterinary check-ups and careful nutrition.

However, an animal suffers psychologically as well as physically, just like a human.

“It often takes some time before abandoned dogs settle down in their new home,” says Miriam Casha, home manager at the Floriana SPCA centre. “Some would be so depressed that they would not eat for days.”

On the other hand, stray dogs could be so hungry that they gobble up every morsel, but then face another problem: having to adjust to the confined space, which may not come easily.

However, Ms Casha says once the animals start trusting the staff, they slowly settle down.

When the animals are cured, healthy and in a stable condition, the SPCA embarks on finding them good homes.

Unfortunately, the rate of adoption has gone down, according to Ms Casha. She attributes this to a number of factors, such as the fact that many families living in flats are not allowed to keep animals. Secondly, many mothers are working, meaning there is no one at home to care for pets.

“When dogs are not trained to be left alone, they get bored and can become quite ‘destructive’, leading some families to abandon them. However, with proper training immediately following adoption, these problems would not arise,” Ms Casha points out.

The organisation plans to open new, larger premises in Ta’ Qali as a one-stop shop for all animals’ needs, where people can share the pleasure of being around them and children can learn to become responsible pet owners.

The SPCA survives on fundraising activities, income from their second-hand bookshop in Floriana, the upmarket charity shop Paws 4 a Cause in Sliema and public donations – all help the organisation give these animals what they deserve... the best in life.

www.spcamalta.org.

Disease factbox

Dogs

Parvovirus: a fatal gastrointestinal infection that mainly affects puppies.

Ringworm: a fungal skin disease, the typical signs of which include hair loss and scaly skin.

Fleas: tiny insects that cause itching and hair loss.

Ticks: an external parasite living on the blood of the animal that can also cause a neurological disorder known as tick paralysis.

Ear infections: found particularly in breeds with hanging ears such as beagles and dogs with narrow ear canals, such as cocker spaniels.

Eye disease: dogs can suffer from a range of diseases affecting different parts of the eye, such as the eyelid, lens, retina and cornea.

Cats

Ringworm: a fungal skin disease, which can result in hair loss and dry/flaky skin.

Cat flu: an upper respiratory tract disease, which infects the membranes of the eyes, lining of the nose, pharynx, sinuses and throat.

Diarrhoea: caused by hairballs, allergies, infections, liver disease and spoiled food.