On Saturday, after eight months of informing the residents of San Lawrenz about the benefits of neutering, the Local Council of this locality organized an activity in which vouchers were distributed so that the residents could have their cats and dogs undergo the neutering operation.

This project has been made possible thanks to the San Lawrenz Local Council together with the Gozo SPCA with the collaboration of Blue Cross from the UK and ITV Grenzelos of Germany. The educational preparation in the locality was quite intensive with activities taking place, informing the San Lawrenz community about the importance of this project with the aim of reducing suffering among animals. This campaign included distribution of educational material to the residents, surveys combined with a lottery, home visits and also a reaching out stand during the days of the festa.

Last Saturday’s activity included a welcoming speech by Mayor Noel Formosa who explained the aim of this campaign and emphasized the Council’s intention to continue with this initiative towards awareness of animals which, he said, are God’s creations and friends of mankind. He thanked Ms Betty Berry and the Gozo SPCA for their commitment and their work towards this project. In a short address Ms Berry thanked the Council and also the Blue Cross and ITV Grenzelos who are financially supporting this project. She then explained the importance of Animal Neutering. Mr Joe Camilleri, the president of the Gozo SPCA thanked all those who contributed to the success of this project and emphasized on the role the SPCA has in Gozo. Before the presentation of the vouchers, Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono explained the importance of education in every sector of the Gozitan Island and also the commitment of her Ministry towards animal welfare.

At the end of the activity the residents who had applied to take part in this project received their voucher from the Minister, entitling their pet to a Neutering Operation.