Our canine good friends.

I could not hold back my enthusiasm when I heard the news that the Corinthia Social Committee had, last week, organised a mini CSR event and visited the Association for Abandoned Animals (AAA).

Apart from Corinthia donating a handsome sum, the committee members bought our canine friends some food and treats and, what is even more important, spent some good time interacting and playing with them.

Krystle Ellul lovingly welcomed by a canine friend

An excited Krystle Ellul delightedly told me, “This was the best day of my week.” Knowing Krystle well, I fully believe her. She’s one of those who places animals very high on her list of friends… I mean real friends!

I found this simple but heartfelt news a good platform to share information about the work of AAA and its mission. But most of all, I want to share how we can help in this very noble cause.

AAA is a non-profit organisation run by a team of volunteers who are fully committed to their cause. They aim to save as many abandoned or abused dogs as possible. They cure them, neuter them, and find them a proper loving home. AAA was established as a dog shelter to provide rescued dogs a safe place to live and where volunteers can give them the much-needed love they need until being re-homed. In 2018, AAA relocated to a newly refurbished Sanctuary in Birzebbugia, which allows better facilities to serve the community and rescued dogs.

Their message is loud and clear: “If you want to adopt a dog, then we are awaiting you with open arms.”

AAA relies solely on the kind donations of the public to help it continue with its mission, so every help they can get from any one of you will mean saving the life of an abandoned dog or enriching it with the love it has lost.

If one cannot offer financial help, volunteering your time is just as valuable.

AAA publicly declares: “We do all the general work required, like cleaning, laying out new bedding, giving prescribed medicines, taking them to the vet, rescuing new ones from the streets, and if we have some extra time, we give them some much-needed care and affection.

“We are also in desperate need of skilled volunteers who can help us with the upkeep of our Sanctuary; therefore, if you are a skilled professional in maintenance, gardening, plumbing, electrical work, painting, etc., we would love to hear from you! Your contribution to our cause would be indispensable.”

Due to licensing restrictions, volunteers within the Sanctuary must be at least sixteen years old. Anyone younger than that will not be allowed inside the premises with the dogs but will be allowed only in the visiting areas.

Insider Plus invites its readers to visit the official site of AAA: https://aaamalta.com/about-us. It’s definitely worth it!

There are so many ways you can actually assist AAA by collecting money. Some ideas: a car wash in its aid; dress-down office days against a donation; organising a collection at work (AAA can provide you with their collection tins); including a collection on your Facebook site or your own website if you have one; organising a bingo night, and so many other ways.

Allow me to end this passionate plea with a poignant 800-year-old dictum by St Francis of Assisi: “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them whenever they require it.”