SPCA policy on animals

For as long as I have been a member of the SPCA, I have wondered why the animal welfare NGOs did not work together and I think Clair Gafà's letter (April 2) has answered the question. It seems to me to be counter-productive for NGOs to criticise each other when, after all, we are all animal lovers working for the same aim. However, we have been asked to respond to questions in the media and we are in duty bound to reply.

Ms Gafà states in her letter that Antoine Vella (SPCA) confirmed the "killing" policy during the NGO meeting for the Fgura dogs issue and in the same paragraph says that "their (SPCA) silence and refusal to answer speaks for itself". What Ms Gafà failed to mention was that the SPCA had been asked by the police on instructions from a magistrate to collect the Fgura dogs. We had made arrangements to house the dogs together and to put them up for adoption, as is the norm in every case. Ms Gafà knows full well that our efforts were frustrated by somebody removing the dogs beforehand. This in itself is fine if homes had been found for them but will these dogs now find their way back onto the street?

The policy of the Island Sanctuary differs to our own. They have filled their kennels with abandoned dogs off the street and will keep them if necessary for the rest of their lives. They inform us time and again that they cannot accept any more because their kennels are full.

The SPCA believes no animal deserves to be left on the street where it can be exposed to hunger and thirst while running the risk of being abused, savaged and maltreated by humans and other animals. Strays are a danger to themselves and others alike. We know this to be true because, unfortunately, we see the results every day.

Ms Gafà cannot take the high ground on this issue because she herself knows that sanctuaries such as hers have been referred to by WSPA (the World Society for the Protection of Animals) and FECAVA (the Federation of European Companion Animals Veterinary Associations) as "concentration camps for animals". This was as recently as at a meeting held in Athens last October, where we were both present.

The SPCA is not, cannot afford and does not have the space to be a sanctuary.

We believe that where the quality of an animal's life is below an acceptable level, then euthanasia is the preferred course of action in the interest of the animal itself. We feel that enjoying life and living with dignity are important criteria when assessing the quality of life for our pets. They should also be important when assessing the life of a stray animal.

So, yes, the SPCA does unfortunately euthanise animals. It does so under strict guidelines that are recognised and accepted all over the world and the reality is a far cry from the "killing machine" that Ms Gafà would have us believe.

The SPCA is a partner of the government in its policy to carry out its social responsibility towards strays, abandoned, dangerous, sick and injured animals that generally the public does not want to know about. The government grant covers one-fifth of our expenses in carrying out this role, with the rest being made up from donations and fund-raising. However, the government is also aware of the problem faced with putting animals down and it is within this spirit of cooperation that the SPCA and the government are working to find suitable and larger premises.

With respect to the two dogs mentioned by Ms Gafà, our records show that these unfortunate creatures had been neutered by the Island Sanctuary and released to roam the streets. The SPCA, after receiving reports of the dogs being found abandoned and a nuisance, had picked them up. Several attempts at re-homing - including being refused by the Island Sanctuary themselves - failed and they had been with us for a year before being put to sleep. The SPCA does not have the luxury of space that the Island Sanctuary have and there are abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats coming in to us every hour of every day. We feel they all deserve a chance to be fed, groomed and re-homed.

The SPCA works on many fronts. We hope that one day our efforts will pay off and through education and perseverance there will be fewer strays and a greater respect for our animal friends.

All NGOs working in this field have a valid role to play, even if their views and policies differ.