Gozo SPCA has said that it is has run out of space and is currently full, with the majority of the dogs at the Centre being larger breeds, added to which there is a slow down in rehoming.

The NGO said that, along with all dog sanctuaries in Malta, Gozo SPCA is “a no kill shelter. In other words we do not euthanise to make space – when a dog enters our Centre it remains there until a home is found for them.”

The only exceptions, it said, “are if the dog is uncontrollably aggressive, or if euthanasia is in the best interests of the dog.”

However, Gozo SPCA stressed that “this policy has consequences.”

In 2022 the Centre said that it rehomed 105 dogs. “This year we might rehome 60-70. Next year is likely to be well under 50 as so many large and/or difficult to rehome dogs. Could even be as low as 25 dogs.”

Gozo SPCA explained that nearly all the dogs currently at its Centre are large breed dogs. “None of them are aggressive towards people.”

The oldest is only 7 years old. But, as Gozo SPCA highlighted, “each and every one could easily be with us this time next year. As a consequence we can no longer take in larger dogs.”

Gozo SPCA said that “the alternative is that we take in 1 more, and close our doors for possibly months at a time.”

The NGO stated that “we consider ourselves, as the smallest licenced dog sanctuary in the Maltese Islands, a rehoming centre not a sanctuary, but without taking action we wont be able to do rehoming as we did in 2023.”

Photo Gozo SPCA: Benji and Bruce, both are loving dogs waiting at Gozo SPCA for their forever homes

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