“My mission is to rescue. My dream is that one day I won’t have to.” ~ Lulu Arpa

One look at the Rescued is my Favorite Breed - Malta Facebook page and you’ll feel touched by the love and passion that drives Lulu Arpa and all the supporters. In a community effort between Lulu, volunteers and the general public, Rescued is my Favorite Breed rescues dogs, finds them foster homes and forever homes, and aims to raise awareness on animal welfare.

You might remember Persy, the setter who was found badly injured in a skip in Marsa in July 2019. He now lives a happy life, running through the grass on three legs, with his own loving family. 

We spoke to Lulu about the rescuing and homing initiative.

What does your work consist of?

"We rescue strays or abandoned dogs found by the general public and find them a foster home until we find them a forever home. We also find foster homes for dogs rescued by Animal Welfare, giving priority to those that have gone through treatment or surgeries for severe injuries, amputees, the poorly, the elderly, the traumatised and the most vulnerable in general. They are given priority over the fit and healthy dogs who fare well in shelter pens."

"Other than that, we also walk and interact with the dogs at Ghammieri, which is held by the Animal Welfare Department. We focus on the rescues who need extra care to come out of a trauma, following the ordeal they experienced before the intervention of Animal Welfare."

What kind of support do you have?

"The coming together of a group of volunteers last spring has made a huge difference. The extra hands means we can do more, from walking the dogs and interacting with them to fostering them, especially in urgent cases. The volunteers also help with errands such as collecting donated items, for example, crates and bedding."

"A lot of valuable support comes from the people outside the organisation. For example, from the general public who listen to the calls for help and share posts. Fosterers are of great help by offering a home to vulnerable dogs that are yet to find a forever home, and adopters are opening their hearts to rescued dogs as opposed to buying."

How did it all begin?

"In these past few years, I became very involved in rescuing and re-homing. In April 2018, I decided to create my own Facebook page to assist with raising awareness on adoption, fostering and animal welfare in general, and things evolved quickly from there. While working closely with Animal Welfare, the support of the volunteers, the general public, and the fosterers and adopters today makes a big difference."

How do you juggle your time between work, life and rescue duties?

"I don't even know how myself! It is challenging sometimes. However, the help from the volunteers that is now available is priceless and has changed my life! For example, when I needed to concentrate on my own dogs who were injured - two of them at once - I could not have done it without them!"

What is your long term vision for ‘Rescued is my Favorite Breed’?

"To bring together more volunteers so that these dogs will have a 'shelter family' until they find families to call their own forever. Indeed, to find more foster homes, as we are in dire need of them. Some rescues, such as the injured, just cannot be transferred to shelter pens once they are discharged from the vet's. Others, such as the traumatised, need emotional safety and comfort until finding forever homes. Finally, to rehome more and more rescues by raising awareness on the importance of adopting as opposed to buying. One by one, until there are none."

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Can YOU help?

"Every little bit helps. If you can afford even just one hour per week of your time, please consider becoming a volunteer."

"There are so many innocent, beautiful animals waiting in shelter pens...all deserving of loving homes. Open your heart and adopt a dog in need! If you cannot adopt, foster. If you cannot foster, volunteer. We can all make a difference."