Three women will drive 15 stray dogs from Malta to a new home in Ireland later this month.
The dogs include long-stay dogs from the Animal Welfare Government Kennels, bull breeds with medical issues, dogs who have been through trauma and are not ready for adoption, and dogs overlooked because of their size or breed.
Rescuers Althea Galea and Rosaria Gerada, from the voluntary organisation Our Rescues Malta (VO/2385), will be driving the dogs in a van they just bought for €12,000 - together with Claire Mifsud, who is helping them with the trip.
The three women will embark on the 3,500km five-day journey on December 10. To ensure the dogs travel safely and calmly, the team will be taken first by ferry from Malta to Sicily, and from Sicily to Genoa.
Once in Genoa, they will be driven across Italy, through to Switzerland and France, from where they will take a ferry to Ireland.
Gerada and Galea have been working together since 2023, relocating dogs who have no future in Malta. This came about after Gerada took a life-changing decision for the sake of abandoned Maltese dogs. She sold everything she owned in Malta to buy land and a home in Ireland - a purpose-built safe haven for dogs who have been repeatedly overlooked, especially bull breeds and long-stay rescues.
In 2023, Rosaria completed her first major relocation mission, transporting 20 dogs and 10 cats to Ireland. Since then, she has continued sending smaller groups with licensed transporters.
"Since Our Rescues does not have its own kennels in Malta, all rescued dogs must be kept in private boarding kennels, which come at a significant financial cost," she said. "These ongoing expenses, combined with medical care, food, and transport place a strain on the rescue's resources, making relocation missions like this essential to free up space and save more dogs."
Public support will directly cover ferry crossings, fuel, veterinary passports and paperwork, crates, bedding, and food and unexpected or emergency costs. Costs are estimated at about €8,000.
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so on Revolut - +356 99299394 or Our Rescues BOV mobile - +356 79569798. More donation details can be found on the Our Rescues Facebook page