With reference to the article by David Lindsay on the Pembroke dog shelter, what people like Renny Scicluna, Freddie Fenech and the other individuals who give up their precious time and money to care for the numerous stray animals, need is financial support and actual physical help, not unjustified criticism.

After all, what these people do is basically what our government should be doing. However, the government, the numerous authorities, the opposition, and sometimes also the media, are more into discussing superfluous issues such as how to spell the euro, what design to put on our euro coins and the Malta song festival. A critical issue, such as animal welfare is often put on the backburner or given cosmetic attention. It is useless for Minister Pullicino to keep rabbiting on about the animal rights charter while doing absolutely nothing to give concrete help to the various animal sanctuaries, which are doing such sterling work under their own steam.

To those people who criticise these individuals, I have just one bit of advice. Put your money where your mouth is and give a donation to one of the sanctuaries, or better still, offer your services as a volunteer.

Roger Aquilina

SAN GWANN