Carnival was not the only happening in Nadur this week, the 24th of February is Spay Day International and it was chosen as the ideal time to launch the second phase of the Owned Pets Neutering Project in Gozo.

This is the first time that Spay Day International has been commemorated in Gozo and the timing was perfect for the start of the Nadur Project.

Nadur was the lucky winner of the draw made in December to choose the next village to follow on after the successful launch of the pilot neutering project in San Lawrenz, where almost 60 pets were neutered entirely free of charge for some very happy and grateful owners.

Nadur is a much bigger village and in the first couple of days over 35 free vouchers have been issued, with a much greater uptake expected after all the hullabaloo of carnival settles down. Ten animals have already been neutered by the island’s vet and now he can expect a steady stream of clients, bringing their pets to be neutered. All owners are issued with a booklet describing the many benefits of neutering pets as well as helpful advice on pre- and post-operative care.

The project is being managed jointly by Gozo SPCA and Nadur Council, with the Council taking the registrations for vouchers at their offices. All pet cats and dogs and street or feral cats fed by carers living in the village are eligible for the scheme. Gozo SPCA is quite prepared to humanely trap any feral cats in order to neuter them; carers should contact Betty Berry on telephone number 99807067.

This project has only been possible because of the generous financial input from The Blue Cross, Britain’s Pet Charity, who are funding all the cat neutering/spaying and ITV Grenzenlos, a German animal welfare charity, who are covering the costs of dog neutering. Funding is not unlimited so vouchers are being issued on a first come first served basis. Gozo SPCA and Nadur Council are very grateful to these two organisations for their help in reducing the numbers of unwanted puppies and kittens being born; it is hoped that this project will have a lasting impact in the community by making people more aware that ‘A neutered pet is a nicer pet’.

For further information kindly contact Betty Berry on 99807067 or via email to info@spca-gozo.org.

Photo shows Nadur Mayor and Gozo SPCA Manager presenting vouchers.