We love the idea of making a donation to an NGO or charity organisation on your wedding day – it shows thoughtfulness and kindness even on a day that’s all about you. If you’re an animal-lover, consider these nine organisations, all of whom are helping out animals in need and could really use your support.

MALTA GUIDE DOGS FOUNDATION

Malta Guide Dogs Foundation

The Malta Guide Dogs Foundation is a registered NGO (VO/0252) whose aim is to offer services for people with visual impairments. It gives training in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) to the visually impaired and is totally reliant on fund-raising. Many of the volunteers within the organisation have lost their sight themselves, and know exactly how necessary and important the work of the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation is.

MSPCA MALTA

MSPCA

THE MSPCA - Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals runs the oldest home for dogs and cats in Malta and is officially recognised by the Government as the national animal welfare organisation, operating at animal welfare and management standards compliant with the Code of Practice for the UK's Association of Dogs and Cats Homes. Its mission is to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals through education, advocacy and other activities. It is registered with the Commission of Voluntary Organisations in Malta: VO0035.

ASSOCIATION FOR ABANDONED ANIMALS (AAA)

Association For Abandoned Animals

Located in the Marsa Industrial Estate, AAA houses around 80 dogs, most from whom were rescued from the streets. All dogs are up for adoption. The organisation’s volunteers do all the general work required, including cleaning, laying out new bedding, administering medicines, taking the dogs to the vet, as well as giving them the care and affection they need. The organisation is open to volunteers every day from 9am to 2pm, including Saturday and Sunday – just make sure to inform the organisation a day before. For adoptions, it is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.

ISLAND SANCTUARY

The Island Sanctuary

The Island Sanctuary, based at Fort Tas-Silg in Delimara, has been in operation for over 30 years, catering to the needs of stray and abandoned dogs in Malta. Established in 1986 at Manoel Island as ‘The Animal Samaritans’, the Island Sanctuary is registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations - VO/0038. The Sanctuary is supported by the contributions of the public and a number of volunteers who dedicate their time by helping to look after the dogs that live there.

NOAH’S ARK MALTA

Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark in Mellieha was founded by Fabio Ciappara, inspired by the rescue of a dog he found foraging in the fields nearby. After he saw her happily re-homed, Fabio realised there were many other animals needing help too, and decided to start an animal rescue organisation that could, perhaps, one day become a proper animal sanctuary. Other local animal-lovers joined in to help and so Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary was founded. Over the past 12 years, Noah's Ark has rescued hundreds of dogs, feeding, homing and treating them for any medical conditions they may have.

HAPPY PAWS

Happy Paws Charity Organization

Happy Paws Charity Organization, founded in 2004, strives to be a service to the stray animal community in Malta and to the people who care for them. The organisation has a team card that costs just €20 for a year, through which caretakers can neuter as many stray cats as they want for free at the Marsa clinic (by appointment.) Happy Paws also runs stray adoption schemes and various other programmes. Apart from its resident veterinarian staff, it is completely run by volunteers. The organisation is financed through its charity shops, sponsorships, donations and fund-raising events. Happy Paws is a registered and recognised non-profit NGO (VO 0119).

TOMASINA CAT SANCTUARY

Tomasina Cat Sanctuary

Tomasina Cat Sanctuary in Luqa is a non-profit organisation that looks after stray cats. At any given point, the sanctuary houses between 300 and 350 cats, all of whom have been neutered and vaccinated. The cats are looked after by volunteers, who give up their time to clean, feed and look after them. “The only help we get is from people that love animals, that when they can do their best to donate canned food and money,” the organisation states. “We also have a vet that helps us by seeing some of our cats once a week in her clinic.”

CSAF – CARERS FOR STRAY AND ABANDONED FELINES

Carers for Stray and Abandoned Felines

Founded in 2005 by Doris Zarb, with the help of some volunteers, the CSAF shelter has grown enormously, and now houses nearly 300 cats and kittens waiting for permanent homes. Each new arrival is welcomed with kindness and medical attention. CSAF has cured and cared for thousands of cats, providing them with the necessary medical treatment. Its neutering programme is supported by many veterinary clinics, and it also helps support other cat sanctuaries and foundations to provide better neutering programmes.

ADOPT A SICILIAN STRAY

Adopt a Sicilian Stray

The stray dog situation in Sicily is dire, with around 750,000 strays in very bad shape running around towns and cities. Most die before they’re one year old if they are not taken off the streets. The Maltese organisation Adopt a Sicilian Stray brings Sicilian strays to Malta at no expense to those adopting them, as long as they go to a good home. There is a rigorous adoption process, and the dogs arrive in Malta micro-chipped, holding an EU passport, vaccinated against rabies and most of the other major illnesses as required by law, free of fleas and de-wormed. They are checked by a vet prior to departure and are only brought to Malta if they are fully healthy and conforming to regulations. Adults are brought to Malta already neutered, while puppies must be neutered by the age of one year by their adoptive families.

Gozo SPCA

Gozo SPCA

Founded in 1976, Gozo SPCA is a non-profit organisation focused on the protection and care of animals in Gozo. Their HQ is a small building in Victoria, where they shelter lost and abandoned animals and rehome them in Gozo, Malta and sometimes overseas. The Gozo SPCA promotes humane treatment of animals through education, legislation and publicity, working closely with the community, the authorities and other like-minded organisations to rescue animals from difficult situations. 

ANIMAL GUARDIANS MALTA

Animal Guardians Malta

Animal Guardians Malta was set up in 2005, with the aim of securing the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. The organisation’s animal-assisted Cat Sanctuary was set up in 2016, and the 105 cats and kittens that live there serve as therapy animals for children and adults with special needs. The sanctuary encourages volunteers to join in and enjoy the beauty of being surrounded by loving cats – two hours a week go a long way! One may also support the sanctuary by becoming a member of Animal Guardians Malta.

SERVICE DOGS MALTA FOUNDATION

Service Dogs Malta Foundation

Service Dogs Malta trains autism assistance dogs, diabetic alert dogs and therapy dogs with a special emphasis on training dogs to work with children. The service dogs are given to the persons who need them for free (subject to certain terms and conditions), although they still belong to the organisation. Each dog costs the organisation approximately €15,000 each to train and maintain and persons who are matched with a dog are expected to care for them as instructed by the trainers. To run such an expensive organisation, funds and donations are always welcome; you can also apply to become a puppy raiser or a volunteer within the organisation.