Visit these local animal shelters to add more love to your life this festive season
Not allowed to have pets in your rented apartment? Missing four-legged love? Why not share the love at Malta’s animal shelters? It’s absolutely a win-win situation. Because if you thought that volunteering is solely an act of giving, think again.
Did you know that stroking animals, playing with them and caring for them is demonstrated to have a positive impact on the human body, mind and spirit by reducing stress and promoting self-healing? Animals provide an opportunity for a non-verbal depth of interaction that’s in stark contrast to the cognitive approach in human interaction and the former allows us to settle into our natural and healthy state of being.
There are several animal shelters in Malta that do fantastic work caring for and rehoming abandoned animals and they can always use some help, while the animals genuinely enjoy sharing the love!
Most of the shelters desperately need volunteers and will welcome any amount of help that can be given. Jobs may include meal preparation, feeding, grooming, cleaning, laying out new bedding, vet checks and medicating, general site maintenance, and giving the animals much needed love and attention. Such jobs usually require training, so many shelters ask for a commitment of a few hours per week or to go at least occasionally, rather than just a one-off, otherwise it is more of a hinderance than a help.
Time to pet and play with the animals will usually be possible after the jobs are done. However, most shelters also allow you to simply walk a dog or pet the animals on a one-off visit.
Dote on Dogs
When the dog has been dubbed ‘human’s best friend,’ what more can you add? Dogs are affectionate, loyal and childlike by nature. Being around dogs is access to a world of playfulness, activity and excitement. Lend a hand and gain a heart at these dog shelters:
Noah’s Ark Sanctuary welcomes irregular volunteers or even just petting, playing and dog walking Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 11.30am. Call 79471390 for more information.
Call The Island Sanctuary on 79018901 to enquire about volunteering. For dog walking, arrive before 11am on Sundays and bring an ID card.
Volunteering at the Association for Abandoned Animals is Monday to Sunday from 7am to 2pm; advise them a day in advance on 79730921. Help out and then play. No dog walking as the animals run free.
Cuddle cats
Cat-assisted therapy is particularly recommended for patients who are unable to interact with large animals, such as horses, or those who are afraid of dogs. In addition, did you know that the cat’s purr is effectively a sound healing device due to its frequency? At 25 to 140 Hz, cat purring is at a frequency that has been shown to aid in the healing of broken bones, joints, tendons and all kinds of wounds.
Animal Guardians Malta needs volunteers Monday to Sunday 10am-noon. The public is welcome to drop in at the Cat Cafe, which supports animal assisted therapy, on Sundays to pet and play with the cats. Call 99576293 for more information.
Drop in at Carers for Stray and Abandoned Felines Monday to Sunday 8.30am-11am and 5pm-7pm (bang hard on the door so they can hear you) to volunteer or just hang out with the cats.
Tomasina Cat Sanctuary welcomes you to simply play with and pet the cats and volunteers are also most welcome. For more information email [email protected].
Hug horses
Horses are wonderful creatures: elegant, yet personal. Riding a horse is a unique feeling and getting up close and personal by caring for a horse reveals a unique aspect to his or her personality.
At RMJ's Horse Rescue, you're welcome to simply interact with the horses or volunteering. Contact 99947633 for more information.
Volunteering & Donations
Support is always needed and highly appreciated. Sometimes, it is all about giving. Contact your chosen voluntary organisation directly to find out how to volunteer or make a donation of money, food, meds, blankets and other items needed. Details are also on the relevant Facebook pages.
Animal Welfare
If you find an injured animal or a stray cat or dog in Malta that needs treatment, call the Animal Welfare Department on the following numbers: (+356) 1717 or (+356) 7996 9918 - the service is FREE of charge.