Animal lovers unite

Malta has a long-established society called SPCA that provides care and sanctuary to animals. Alfred Fenech, who runs the Abandoned Animals Association (AAA), should be aware that the government has handed over a large piece of land to the SPCA to be used solely for the care of animals, not only abandoned ones but also those that are sick or need temporary shelter, and to find homes for the many unwanted loving kittens and puppies.

Mr Fenech should perhaps consider working hand in hand with SPCA and use his energy, care and love for animals alongside its members. It is pointless to have other animal lovers acting on their own when the SPCA needs all the help it can get. Together it would be easier to collect the funds needed to develop the 14 tumoli of land into an adequate centre.

Quoting the president of the SPCA, "The Centre will have adopting facilities so that we can continue to find the best permanent homes, matching each animal with the right family environment" and "Countless opportunities exist once a veterinarian hospital is established and this is one of the key aims of the new home".

The SPCA needs every animal lover's help so let us all show our appreciation and lend our assistance. Unfortunately, it is money that is needed most at this point in time. The most important item on the president's agenda is the badly needed funds which she hopes to get from loving hearts of long-established sponsors and new ones. "We are all champions of talk but we do need to talk money" and "if the new home is to become a viable proposition it is up to us to help".

I can never understand how anyone could be cruel to animals, or abandon animals, or keep them in confined, dirty spaces, or do anything other than love their pets. Animals cannot speak up for themselves and when treated well, they shower so much love and loyalty. The front page of the SPCA Animal Watch newsletter issue 1, summer 2005, says it all.

I ask everyone to please join forces with SPCA and help in any way, so that Malta can have a well looked-after national home for our animals.