Nestle Purina Reunited Pet Cabin launched at Mater Dei

by Gozo News · December 22, 2022

The Nestle Purina Reunited Pet Cabin Project has been launched at Mater Dei Hospital. This project was materialised thanks to the work of local NGOs, JCI Malta and Survivors Malta, with the help and collaboration of the Ministry of Health, and the generous support of several sponsors, especially main sponsor Nestle, and the general public.

JCI Malta explained that the need for a pet cabin came about in 2015, after 15-year-old Jacob Cachia was admitted to hospital with a brain infection and had to spend several months in ITU fighting for his life.

During this time, his mother realised that were Jacob given permission to meet their family dog, Peanut, it would help his recovery from a psychological point of view.

After pleading with the hospital administration, permission was given to the Cachia family to take Jacob outside the main entrance of the Hospital for the encounter. Although it was not the ideal place, as Jacob had a greater chance of getting an infection from a passer-by than from their dog, it was the only solution at the time.

Jacob’s mother said that “nevertheless, the risk was well worth it as Jacob was ecstatic at seeing his Yorkshire Terrier, Peanut, and the visit played a big part in his road to recovery.”

Following that episode, the Cachia family expressed their desire to establish a designated area at Mater Dei Hospital where patients can meet with their domestic pets.

While founding the NGO Survivors Malta, they worked closely with the various hospital departments and were eventually given the go ahead to initiate the visitation of dogs within a conservatory-like structure that was to be built on hospital grounds.

Once recovered and out of hospital, Jacob joined JCI Malta, a leadership organisation for young people, and a collaboration between the two NGOs was formed to take this project forward. Funds were raised through a crowdfunding campaign on Zaar, through the generous contributions from several companies, and through other fundraising activities over the years.

Unfortunately, the project was severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic; however, the pet cabin is now open and can be used by long-term Mater Dei patients. The operational booking process is being handled by Mater Dei Hospital.