2 comments so far.Gozo SPCA confirms decision to remain in Victoria premises
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The Gozo SPCA have issued a full statement today saying that “during the Annual General Meeting of Gozo SPCA, held at the Gozo NGO Centre on 16th April, the members present agreed with the Committee’s recommendation that it will no longer be searching for a site for a new Centre and will concentrate its efforts on upgrading the current Centre in Victoria to comply with the new Animal Welfare Act regulations applying to sanctuaries and shelters.”
“The Society has tried for over 20 years to relocate to new premises, coming close on several occasions but always without success.”
Betty Berry, the Gozo SPCA added, “recently a new site was chosen and jointly agreed on by Gozo SPCA, the Gozo Ministry and the Lands Dept. However, following months of intensive preparations for the Alternative Site Assessment Report, the Society has been informed by MEPA that a Planning Application to build an animal shelter on that site would almost certainly be refused.
This decision was a body blow to the dedicated volunteers, most of who are well beyond retirement age. The damage to morale amongst the volunteers has been so great that it was decided to give up the battle to find yet another site when obstacles are met at every turn.”
The Gozo SPCA concluded “that this will mean a great reduction in the number of dogs held, from as many as 25, to about 6 (the exact number will depend on an architect’s report). There will have to be proper facilities, including isolation/quarantine zones, which do not exist at the present time,”
Gozo SPCA photo of Midge, just one of the dogs waiting for a loving home.
This, and other matters, will discussed on NET TVs Animal Diaries programme tonight at 6:50pm, where there will be representatives from Gozo SPCA
As just one of the “well beyond the retirement age” volunteers (I am 75), sometimes I wonder why we bother. In the past six years I must have spent well over 1000 euros in the service of Gozo’s animals in need, without claiming a cent for expenses in return. Why do we bother? Because we love animals, and we will continue to work for them. Everybody agrees that our current Centre is inadequate and in the wrong place, right in the middle of Victoria. If we stay there, the service we can offer to Gozo’s dogs and cats will have to be scaled right down because of new legislation which we fully support.
What more can I say, except that I am grateful for the understanding and support we have steadily received from every school in Gozo?