“I wish to bring to your attention one of the unsung heroes of your beautiful island.

There is a veterinary surgeon in Victoria called William Grech, who has treated my feral cats for many years.

Last week I was informed (although not by him ), that he has offered to neuter feral cats for Animal Welfare at almost no cost to the government.

The Animal Welfare programme themselves offer free neutering vouchers for feral cats, but the government itself must pay the vets who perform this service, and this costs tens of thousands of euros in lost income.

Dr William, I heard, has offered a token rate to the government for neutering male feral cats of ZERO euros, and 15 for a female – such low rates that they are sure to cost him thousands of euros in lost income.

I asked him directly if this was true. Flushing slightly, he confirmed, though shyly, that this is entirely true.

He explained that he believes passionately in the value of the work being done by Animal Welfare, and he well knows they have limited funds. This is his way of serving the community, and of giving back to the island that raised him.

It requires many years to qualify from the University of Edinburgh where he trained. With his credentials he could work anywhere in the world, yet he chooses to be in Gozo, and the dogs and cats of this island are blessed for that.

Now he is doing much more. Whether the government accepts his offer on not, I think the generosity of this act, and the nobility of his motives, deserve to be shouted from the rooftops.

I keep you in my prayers, Dr William. May God bless you and keep you in good health.

Keep up the work you do.

sincerely,

Sonia Haines,

Gozo.

 

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