Gozo SPCA forced to close centre

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.