NoahsArk

We currently have with us in the region of 170 dogs. We say in the region as it can change on a day to day basis. Our actual ideal capacity, is 75-80 So as you can appreciate we do not have an ounce of space for any more dogs at present. We find this extremely difficult to accept, as there are so many needy cases out there.
Yet to overcrowd ourselves anymore would be of great detriment to all our current residents and they do not deserve that kind of treatment after what very many of them have already been through and experienced in their lives.

To look after and maintain the day to day running of the sanctuary we have 3 or 4 staff members. We are very lucky to have an English lady sponsor. As you can imagine all our funding is done solely through events, donations and there is no weekly income to assist in all the outgoing costs involved in the running of the sanctuary.
Not just the other sanctuaries on the Island, but world wide sanctuaries know how difficult it is to maintain a high standard of care without sufficient funding for all their residents. For the staff volunteers and founders alike it is an ongoing struggle to ensure the best possible care for every dog that comes through our gates.

Our policy is never to put a dog down unless the animal is in pain, suffering or extremely aggressive and is a danger to human and other dogs alike.

We have volunteers (not many sadly) but regular people who take the time to come and exercise as often as they can, again without their help it would be very difficult to maintain a very good quality of life for all the dogs.
Recently as reported in News we were given land by the government, which has provided us with 2 large natural exercise areas for the dogs, and it is fantastic to know that EVERY single dog has the chance to run and play freely. We have always exercised many of the dogs off leads, but there are always a couple who do not over socialize too well, but now they also have complete freedom to enjoy themselves.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a big group of dogs playing happily together and there is very rarely any scuffles or falling out as with the amount of space they do not feel intimidated.
We are always in need of assistance, whether it be volunteering, donation or blankets, towels leads collars, medication etc.
No matter how hard or difficult it is no one who is involved in Noah's Ark would ever give up on supporting such a worthy cause.

How it all began

A bedraggled white bitch called Lady was the catalyst for the animal sanctuary which has taken the name Noah's Ark.

Former scuba-diving instructor and now bar and restaurant-owner Fabio Ciappara was out for a walk at Ahrax, on the outskirts of Mellieha, about four years ago when he noticed a white dog scavenging in the fields. The creature was in an appalling condition - so starved that she could hardly walk and terrified of people. Fabio could not get near her, but, back home, he could not get her out of his mind, so he went back the next day, and every following day, with some food and water. Gradually he won her trust. She eventually allowed him to put a collar on her which enabled him to take her to a vet for a thorough check-up.

Fabio called her "Lady" and eventually found her a lovely home on the farm of friends where she now has a very happy life.

There are sadly many abandoned dogs in Malta. Having had the very satisfying experience of rescuing Lady, and seeing her happily re-homed, Fabio realized that he could not just ignore all the other animals needing help. So he decided to start an animal rescue organization that could, perhaps, one day become a proper animal sanctuary. Other local animal-lovers joined in to help and so Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary was born.

Members of the Ark still pick up strays and try to find homes for them and, gradually, word has spread and now the local council and the police will ring Noah's Ark if a dog is handed in or reported to them.

Over the last few years, Noah's Ark has rescued scores of dogs. Of course, the ideal is to find new homes for them but, sadly, this is not always possible but with our strict no-kill policy no dog is ever put down but get to stay at the sanctuary.