Wire-haired and sporting a mad-eye look, a dog excitedly greets me as I walk into the new Association for Abandoned Animals (AAA) sanctuary in Birżebbuġa. I'm greeted also by Pierre Galea, 37, AAA president who explains in a hushed and sorrowful voice the mental anguish that man's best friends go through when they know they've been given short shrift.

A workhorse, Pierre holds a full-time job but dedicates his spare time with these 'treasures'. "I rescue animals because so many people hurt them," he tells me with a voice as flat and hard as a stove lid.

We enter the main area, where most of the tail-waggers are housed. A canine pong attacks my nostrils and a thundering sound of 80 dogs barking hit my ear drums.

Walking in, I am greeted by happy snorts as several canines bound towards me. One pooch, in particular, hails me with an exuberant lunge and a little snuffle. He looks directly at me with his large cinnamon brown eyes transmitting a friendly hello.

I know there is something special about this tyke with a chocolate exterior and a sweet disposition. But like most guests at AAA, he was abandoned by his owners and still evidenced signs of heartbreak and disappointment of having been discarded by his family.

"I find it very hard to accept the reason people abandon their pet just because they get divorced, pregnant or sick. The pet is the first to leave," Pierre says with his head hung low.

What hurts me the most is that we do not even see guilt when people come to the sanctuary to disown their pets. These four-legged friends are treated like lifeless commodities."

AAA has recently moved to new premises after being evicted from their old home. "We moved with all our dogs. Family is never left behind," Pierre tells me as if he were the proverbial heart of gold paterfamilias.

My soul feels lighter when I get to know that most dogs are re-adopted into loving homes. AAA re-homes about 500 dogs a year. I want, if I could take all these beautiful creatures. If you wish bring a ray of hope and brighten the life of one of these boarders contact the AAA on 79730921 or visit their Facebook page.