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Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
caring a bo ut ani ma ls
GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Free to
Members.e13
1 Euro where sold.
NEWS FROM THE REHOMING CENTRE
by Val Gregory, Centre Manager
supporters, Heidi rescued her and a few weeks later she gave birth to 6 delightful puppies.
Heidi managed to keep them in her garage but as soon as they started to walk about she real-
ised that they could get out to the main road so she asked the Gozo SPCA if we could take them
in. They came to us with their Mum called Sheila at 4 weeks of age. Within days without adver-
tising them we had got them all booked for re-homing. Sheila their mother was also re-homed
after being neutered. We called the Puppies Sue, Sally, Sam, Sid, Steve & Stan.
Another lot of puppies that were taking in with their mother were Daphne, a Fox Terrier with
Puppies Deanna (now called Lucky), Dana (now called Zelda) and Daisy, we had also picked up
Foxie and Flossie another pair of Fox Terrier X puppies, so we had 6 black & white dogs running
around upstairs.
Our neutering campaign has continued with 121 Male
Cats and 241 Female Cats - these are both owned and
feral. Our thanks go to Sonia Haines, Jan Wright, David
McDonagh and Sunny Ta Golina for all their help with
the feral cats.
Many thanks to all the children that helped during the
summer holidays; too many to name, and all the holi-
day makers who gave up their time to walk the dogs.
During the first 8 months of 2014 we have re-
homed 54 dogs, 3 Cats and 61 Kittens. We
also released (after neutering) 4 Cats and 4
Kittens. 7 Dogs and 1 Kitten were also re-
claimed during this time.
There are always the stories that break your
heart and some that make you smile and
Sheila’s story was one of the latter.
Sheila was beautiful Labrador Cross who was
found tied to a skip in Mgarr where one of our Sheila’s Pups enjoying their breakfast upstairs at the Centre
Breakfast time for the black and white pups!
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 2 GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER
REHOMING SUCCESSES!!
Over the past few months, Gozo SPCA has had a phenomenal success rate finding loving homes for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
Here are some photos of the dogs and puppies, many of whom only had a short stay at the centre.
April Coxie Foxie
Russell Amy Carol Brownie
Lois Foxy & Flossie Daphne Puppy Dino
Dora Little George Gidi Linda
Rover
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 3
GOZO SPCA CALENDAR
2015
Gozo SPCA 2015 calendar
now available - priced at € 3
each, or 4 for €10, they can
be purchased from our cen-
tre, from our stall at the car
boot sales, The Gallery,
Xlendi, and Pricebusters,
Victoria. In Malta, they are
available from Petlove pet
shop. Also available by post
within the Maltese Islands,
p&p 50c for 1, € 1 for 2 or
more.
Many readers will remember Flossie, half Dalmatian,
half Pointer and long term resident of Gozo SPCA and
very special Sponsor Dog for Ann and Roger Jesty of East
Sussex. Flossie found her 'forever' home in UK with Mike
and Maggie Bishopp, then after a couple of years they
decided to settle permanently in their apartment in
Gharb, so back to Gozo Flossie came, along with her
inseparable companion Henry the Labrador. During a
short holiday in Gozo Ann and Roger were delighted to
finally meet Flossie 'in the flesh', needless to say,
Flossie behaved beautifully with her long-time sponsors.
Percy - Rehomed
Max - Rehomed
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 4 GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER
As the magazine goes to print, the car boot sales
are in full swing, with 3 a month for much of Sep-
tember to May. Although each car boot sale isn’t
as busy as it used to be when there was only one
a month, in total we are raising more money per
month, which means we need more items to sell.
It also means we need more people to help on the
stall, especially to help unload and then pack up
at the end of the event, so if you are willing to
v o l u n t e e r , p l e a s e g e t i n t o u c h .
Flag week, our big fund raising event of the year,
was split into two this, year, with Gozo Channel
kindly giving us permission to collect over two 3
day weekends, rather than the previous week long
collection. The first was held in late March, the
second in early September. As happens every
year, the generosity of so many people was amaz-
ing, allowing us to collect close to € 9,000 in to-
tal. We are very grateful for the continued sup-
port of Gozo Channel and their staff.
After not producing a calendar for 2013 or 2014,
we have resumed for 2015. However, although we
are getting lots of great feedback on the calendar
that Annabel MacDonald both took the photos for
and produced, this has to turn into sales to make
it worthwhile. They are priced at € 3 each, or 4
for € 10, and are available from our car boot sale
stall, from our centre, and also from The Gallery,
X lendi , and Pr icebusters , V i ctor ia .
The SMS donation numbers we started last sum-
mer have proved to be a big success, providing a
cost effective way for people to make small/
medium sized donations, both during our flag
week collections and during the year. They have
also proven a convenient way for people to pay
for ID tags for their pets. In the first year, over €
2,100 was donated, of which 90% goes to Gozo
SPCA. We also now have a paypal account, which
will hopefully prove as successful.
In early Summer 2012, Philip and Thalia, who run
The Gallery in Xlendi, offered to sell 2nd hand
books on behalf of Gozo SPCA. At first we thought
we would be providing books for them to sell, but
in fact residents and holiday makers are not only
buying books there, but donating even more than
they buy, and so its us who go to The Gallery to
collect books for selling at the car boot sales. Not
only that but in the first 2 and a bit years, a total of
€ 3,600 has been raised for Gozo SPCA !
Fundraising Report by Mark Thorogood
Philip from The Gallery with Linnie who he’s owned for 11
years. Linnie is an ex-Gozo SPCA dog.
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 5 GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER
Fundraising Report by Mark Thorogood
Thank you to Tracy and Elena of Furry Tails in Malta, who
have been raising funds for a number of sanctuaries, in-
cluding Gozo SPCA.
Thank you to St Andrews Dive Centre in Xlendi, all the
staff and customers, for raising € 177.04 for the animals
at Gozo SPCA. Thank you also to Galea Vets in Victoria,
Gozo, and their customers, who donated € 106.73 to us,
from our collection box at the surgery.
Thank you to Claudia in Germany for her generous finan-
cial support in our neutering campaigns for cats
Thanks to all the people who donate treats, food and
bedding for our animals. There are so many people who
help in this way, and we are extremely grateful to every
one of you!
If you would like to make a donation, there are several
ways to do so:
1. Transfer to our HSBC account
Account Number: 071089122001
HSBC Bank Account: SPCA (GOZO) Sort Code: 44-071
IBAN Code: MT43MMEB44716000000071089122001
Swift Code: MMEBMTMT
2. Paypal
3. SMS
To send us a donation, please send an SMS to one of the
following numbers - your account will be debited with
the amount listed. This only works from Malta SIM
cards, and with some Melita contracts, customers can-
not donate without topping up their credit.
€1.16 - 50616116
€2.33 - 50617375
€4.66 - 50618061
€6.99 - 50618904
€11.65 - 50619204
4. By cheque, payable to Gozo SPCA
Gozo SPCA,
By The Playing Field
Victoria
VCT 1341
Need a name disk for
your dog or cat?
For just € 3 incl p&p within Maltese Islands, we will engrave
your pet's name and a telephone number on the disc of your
choice - pick a size, shape and colour from Gozo SPCA web-
site:
http://www.spca-gozo.org/gozo%20spca_merchandise1.htm
Email your order to [email protected]
Total cost for overseas € 4 or £ 3.50 for one, and only €/£ 3 for
any additional ones sent in the same envelope .
All proceeds to Gozo SPCA
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 6
Sheila and Her Pups
As Val mentioned in the Centre Report (Page 1), Sheila and her pups were
all rehomed. What a lovely end to such a sad story. How could anyone tie
a dog to a skip?
Mum Sheila
Pup Sid
Stan
Steve
Sue
Borg Cardona and Pink Panther
In August, our long term supporters from Borg Cardona in Malta visited the Centre. Borg Cardona supply our
food for the animals in our care. Along with them came the Pink Panther TV Crew who filmed us at Gozo
SPCA. Pink Panther airs on One TV on a Saturday evening.
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 7
http://www.glassboxbar.com Michelangelo Refalo Square, Marsalforn, Gozo
Open 4pm - late. Closed Monday.
Update about Animal Welfare
Some very good news is the announcement that
Animal Welfare will be setting up a base in Gozo,
this does not mean the end of Gozo SPCA as we
both fulfil different roles.
We will always take in puppies that have been
found without a mother unless there is no space
available, in which case we will try and find
space at a sanctuary in Malta
Animal Welfare is there for the protection of all
animals
Gozo SPCA is there for the protection of small
animals
Animal Welfare will pick up all animals injured by
accidents
Gozo SPCA will no longer need to perform this
role
Animal welfare will NOT pick up stray animals
Gozo SPCA will pick up stray animals when space
permits
All cases of mistreatment of animals should be
reported to Animal Welfare
Gozo SPCA will no longer deal with mistreatment
cases
Animal Welfare plan to have space for cats
Gozo SPCA can only take in kittens
Animal Welfare will also check stray dogs for mi-
cro chips.
Purdy—Rehomed Scamp—Rehomed
Toby–Rehomed Pip –Rehomed
Update about Animal Welfare
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 8
could take me home – Wow a dream come true but
as we walked up the road from the Centre there
was a lot of cars and loads of noise and it scared
me so I thought I would go back to the Centre.
When we got there, Jane said she would take me
in her car so that was alright.
It took me a while to get used to living in a flat -
all those stairs - I had never seen them before! I
was still very nervous about eating and going out so
Val came round and we went out together and I
realised everything was OK and so now I am in my
‘forever home’!! I have got Cliff trained to take me
out and bring me back when I want to go and he
lets me sleep on the settee.”
Centre Manager Note: I must personally thank
Cliff for his patience and understanding of
Wally and for adopting one of the most loveable
dogs we have had at the Centre.
“My name is Wally. It wasn’t always Wally, when I
was born in Xewkija I was just known as “Dog”. I
first got to know humans when in November 2009
I was rounded up with all my pals and taken to the
Vet where I was operated on and something was
put into my neck. The next 3 years were spent
playing with all my friends in the yard until one day
me and my mate were near the front gate when a
very large bang scared me and I ran out of the
yard behind my mate and then crash! I was thrown
up in the air and I felt very bad.
The next thing I remember is being picked up by
Peter and put into a kennel at the Centre. The
next day I was taken to the vets and he found
that I had fractured my back leg, Dr Frank oper-
ated and put a pin in my leg but because I didn’t
get to the Vet straight away, there was no skin
left to stitch so my leg was put in a plaster cast
and bandaged up.
I then had to go back to the Vets every 2 days to
have my leg examined and redressed I was very
good and didn’t chew my dressing until it started
to heal and then did it itch! So there I was with a
bucket on my head; very uncomfortable I might
tell you. I kept walking into things because I
couldn’t see them!
After several more weeks the wound was healing
well so Dr Frank said I could take off the bucket
and it was OK for me to lick it as that would help
it heal. I was still a bit nervous about using my leg
but gradually I would put it down and got used to
it.
I stayed at the Centre for 2 years. I enjoyed all
the walks with the volunteers and the company of
the other dogs but what I really wanted was a nice
home where I could retire and spend the rest of
my days in comfort. I thought that day would
never come but one day Cliff came to the Centre
and spoke to Val the Manager and asked if he
This is me when I arrived
at The Centre. Dr Frank
the Vet operated on me
and here I am wearing
my blue bandage. I was-
n’t able to join the other
guys in The Centre, so I
spent my days in the
front kennel.
Don’t I look daft???????????
To prevent me from
chewing my bandage
(which was quite tasty), I
had to wear this Buster
Collar. The other dogs
really laughed at me, but
the volunteers thought I
looked cute. Bah!!!!!
Here I am in my new
home. I really love it and
will always be ever so
grateful to Cliff who got
me a new bed and every-
thing (though I do prefer
sleeping on the sofa,
when I’m allowed). Love
and Licks from Wally xx
Psst……….It’s me, Wally!
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 9 GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER
For all the very latest news from Gozo,
GozoNews.com is a great resource for any-
one living or holidaying here. With
weather, ferry times, and news about Gozo
as well as classifieds and letters, the site is
updated with all the latest info about hap-
penings on this little island. Since 2006, the
team at GozoNews.com have done an ex-
cellent job of editing and running the site.
The site has played an important role in
publicising Gozo SPCA’s news, both good
and bad, which really helps to raise our
profile here and abroad. Each week, the
site features one of our animals in need of a
home and this has played an important part
in our successful rehoming activities:
http://gozonews.com/category/adopt-a-pet
GozoNews.com
MEMBERSHIP Please note that Gozo SPCA Membership fees are Single €9.00, Family €12.00 and
Life Membership €108.00
Self-catering Seaview accommodation at
Ghajnsielem Gozo. All inclusive! No car required.
Completely private & tranquil in a great location
near the sea to discover Gozo.
Very sunny terraced house with amazing seaviews.
Spacious seaview terraces(2), balconies(2) & roof
garden. A/C, internet PC, FREE Wi-Fi & bicycles.
T. +35677303322 E. [email protected] I.
www.romanticgozo.com Donation to Gozo SPCA
with every booking.
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 10
Gozo SPCA would like to thank Meats &
Eats gourmet butcher in Sliema, and their
customers, for raising € 145 for Gozo
SPCA. This was raised in just three
months. They are continuing to collect
money on our behalf, so please look out
for our collection box in their shop.
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 11
Are you on Facebook? Since we started the Gozo SPCA fan page in February 2010, we’ve had loads of support! If you’re
on there, please join us by “liking” The Gozo SPCA Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gozo
-SPCA/305737508971
We post up to date news and events there :)
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 12 GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER
What Can I Do? Can You Help Me? What does the Gozo SPCA Do?
By Val Gregory
We are asked these questions every week and I will try and explain what we can do and how we come to the deci-
sions we take.
Gozo SPCA has been given a Government Employee, Peter Camilleri, who is paid by the Government to open the
Centre 6 mornings a week to feed and clean the animals. All the other work he does is paid for by Gozo SPCA and
most of you know how much other work he does. He takes emergency calls 24 hours a day for injured animals. He
traps and arranges neutering of Feral Cats, assists in releasing trapped animals and works 6 evenings a week feed-
ing and cleaning and putting the animals to bed. He is supported by volunteers who walk the dogs and clean-up
after the animals 7 evenings a week.
We have very limited space at the Centre and after many years of overcrowding and along with the introduction
of new Animal Welfare laws for Animal Shelters, we are limited in the number of dogs and puppies we can take
in. We have 4 kennels and an outside space upstairs where we keep the small dogs and puppies and we should
have no more than 6 dogs there. Downstairs, we have 5 kennels and an outside space and we should have no more
than 4 large dogs here as we must keep a kennel free for emergencies such as road traffic accidents or a very ill
dog.
We will always take in puppies that have been found without a mother as they cannot look after themselves. We
will always take in an injured dog if space permits; if not we will ask Animal Welfare in Malta to help as they have
more facilities there.
If we are full and dogs are found roaming the streets but are not at critical risk we have to leave them there until
a space becomes available after checking for a micro-chip.
Since 2004 we have spent over €12,000.00 on maintenance
costs, over €58,000.00 on animal food and over €10,000.00 on
cleaning costs. I know people say that we have a lot of money
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 13
What Can I Do? Can You Help Me? What does the Gozo SPCA Do?
(Continued)
in the bank and yes, it is true, but since the recession a couple of years ago, we have lost two of our biggest spon-
sors in Blue Cross UK and The Shuman Trust thus we have had to transfer over €20,000.00 to our current account
from the savings account. If we continue at the same rate, it will not be too long before we would be unable to
shelter as many animals as we do now.
We have 2 vans which are getting old and the repair bills soon mount up. One or both will need to be replaced
soon.
We have continued to neuter owned and feral cats and the figures are amazing as you can see from below:
2009 64 Male & 101 Female Cats 13 - Male & 17 Female Dogs COST € 4,184.50
2010 114 Male & 227 Female Cats - 6 Male & 16 Female Dogs COST € 11,726.50
2011 123 Male & 282 Female Cats – 11 Male & 15 Female Dogs COST € 14,703.00
2012 190 Male & 368 Female Cats – 6 Male & 6 Female Dogs COST € 19,906.00
2013 199 Male & 455 Female Cats COST € 22,180.00
Dogs Trust Malta started to pay for all the neutering costs of our dogs from the middle of 2012 but they are leav-
ing the Island at the beginning of 2015 so that funding will go.
Since 2004 we have re-homed 622 Dogs, 62 Cats and 526 Kittens.
Where possible all dogs that are re-homed are vaccinated, de-flead, wormed, neutered and from 2009, micro-
chipped. Medical bills since 2003 are over €165,000.00. I hope this helps you to understand how we use your valu-
able donations, and where this money goes.
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Page 14 GOZO SPCA
NEWSLETTER
Looking for A Loving home…..
If you’d like to give a loving home to one of our ani-
mals, then pay us a visit at the centre between 4 and
5pm.
Alternatively call Gozo SPCA on 2155 3769.
We have a high rehoming rate, so check at the centre to
see who is available if you’re looking to adopt one of
our dogs or kittens. Tonic is a special girl who needs a calm, gentle
owner.
Terri is a lovely dog and will make an excellent
companion.
Buster is a sweet little kitten who came into the
Centre in November.
Kitten Bunty is a tabby female looking for her
forever home.
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, by The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary organisation VO/0069
Page 15
Gozo SPCA Newsletter Volume 18, Issue 2 Nov 2014
Published by Gozo SPCA, By The Playing Field, Main Gate Street, Victoria, VCT 1341, Gozo, Malta. Voluntary Organisation, VO/0069
Chairman Joe Camilleri 2155 5626
Treasurer,
Membership &
Centre Man-
ager
Val Gregory 2156 6727
Secretary Jane Bower 2156 4671
Fundraiser Mark Thorogood 2156 3697
Member Marion Sayers 79595991
Webmaster Karin Brayshaw 2155 2159
Editor Hilary Rogers 2156 4547
Gozo SPCA Committee
With many thanks to one of our members who kindly sponsors the printing of
this Newsletter
Volunteers
Do you have a little bit of time that
you could give to the SPCA?
We would welcome more volun-
teers no matter how much or how
little time you can spare us - we
will be able to find a job for you. In
return you will have a lot of fun
and make some new friends of both
the human and the animal variety.
Just pick up the phone and speak
to Val at the Centre. Tel: 21553769.
© All photographs in this newsletter are
copyright of Gozo SPCA and Annabel Mac-Donald. The Editor and Gozo SPCA Committee accept no responsibility for the services or claims made by advertisers in this Newsletter.
Small Coin Boxes:
Thanks to everyone who regularly
contributes. Every bit makes a dif-
ference.
Letter from the Ed…….
Phew! I can’t keep up……… It seems that as soon as a “guest” arrives at
the centre, he or she is rehomed almost immediately. A lot of the suc-
cess stems from facebook activities on our page and RUBS Puppy Love.
Well done to Mark and Val who keep this up to date and engage with
users on a daily basis. It’s a time-consuming task, so hats-off to you guys.
The good news about our Wally getting a loving home was brilliant; good
to know he’s settled in well and is thriving :)
If you have anything to contribute to the next issue of the magazine,
please send your photos/articles to [email protected].
Till next time…..ED!