Meet the Team
Meet the Team
We’re delighted that five local members of staff are working for Dogs Trust in Malta.
Sarah De Cesare, Campaigns Manager
1. What made you join the Malta project?
The choice was a very exciting one that was inspired by my passion for animal welfare. I feel so positive and am looking forward to the contribution I can make towards this exciting project.
2. What are you hoping to achieve?
Though we would all love miracles, I have come onboard with no expectations of swift change overnight.
I’m hoping the efforts we make over a period of time will come together eventually, making a significant change to the stray population, together with the education about responsible dog ownership to young and old alike.
3. What’s your favourite animal?
I have no particular favourite, though I am partial to the stay-at-home pets such as my dogs and cats. It’s always great to come home to warm cuddles from them!
4. Tell us a secret!
I’m an adrenaline junkie! Unfortunately we don’t have skydiving and bungee jumping but these are the things that I’d throw myself into if I had the opportunity. Instead, I get my heart racing by playing squash – the next best thing!
5. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
A few, mostly by feral cats and wild dogs who have felt threatened while I was trying to rescue them. It’s important to keep safe with these animals, and I’ve now taken a safer route in rescuing where possible.
6. Why is Malta great?
Malta is a very special island. Its community is close-knit, and one where all combine efforts for the greater good of the country.
The people are inviting and the island boasts a great amount of wonderful sites. Its history is a very exciting one, much of which reflects in the structures and as well as traditions. Malta has something to offer to everyone!
Christina Pace, Education Officer
1. What made you join the Malta Project?
I’ve had experience of interactive workshops with school children before and I knew how much fun it is for both me and the children! Making it fun for them makes the experience a positive one and helps them retain what they learn. I love dogs and I cannot imagine a better way to spend my time than teaching how to take proper care of them.
2. What do you hope to achieve?
I hope one day we will no longer have over 600 hundred dogs waiting for a home at the kennels, not to mention cats and of course strays. If we can raise a generation of responsible owners we will have done a great service for the future of animals in Malta.
3. What is your favorite animal?
Hands down, without a doubt, it’s dogs. I have a craving to know all there is to know about them. I’ve done first aid courses, dog training, will be following a behavior analysis course shortly, and bought books and watch every documentary.
Having said that I love all animals and my life was enriched by a variety of pets during my life. I had rescued 2 chipmunks from a crowded cage, funny critters. I had a terrarium with cockroaches which I found fascinating. I remember picking up all sorts of injured or stranded animals as a child, including snakes and rats.
4. Tell us a Secret
I used to be scared of dogs.
5. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Yes! Rescuing animals, especially injured and distressed ones, one expects to be bitten at some point. Though now I am more careful with my approach and it rarely happens anymore. The first time though was quite shocking.
6. What makes Malta great?
Malta offers a variety of cultural and entertainment you seldom find elsewhere. You can be a tourist as a resident in Malta and you never run out of things to do and places to go.
Frank Azzopardi, Campaigns Officer
1. What made you join the Malta Project?
I always wanted to work with animals, especially dogs. I had my own animals and being at dogs trust I can appreciate their welfare better.
2. What do you hope to achieve?
I want to see as many dogs neutered as possible and to educate the public to be better more responsible owners.
3. What is your favorite animal?
Horses and dogs. I always had both.
4. Tell us a Secret
I love goldfish.
5. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Yes! Several animals…dogs, horses, cats, chipmunks etc
6. What makes Malta great?
When I was not working I had the freedom to discover Malta on horseback. There truly is a lot of beauty.
Lilly Abela, Administrator
1. What made you join the Malta Project?
I lacked the job satisfaction I was looking for in my previous job. Working at Dogs Trust fulfilled all my expectations of putting my skills to work for a good cause.
2. What do you hope to achieve?
I hope that the Maltese, more particularly the adults, become more open to adopting a dog from the many at the shelters instead of buying one. Often adopting an older dog is even better because you get a calmer companion and most of the house breaking, training and discipline is already done.
3. What is your favourite animal?
In general all animals but dogs are my number one.
4. Tell us a Secret
I enjoy partying
5. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Yes! By my own dogs as when I was a child I used to annoy them …like when they are sleeping and their warning wasn’t enough.
6. What makes Malta great?
Everything especially the sun.
Zelda Zerafa, Events and Education Assistant
1. What made you join the Malta Project?
I come from a background in teaching adults but was looking for a fresh challenge when this opportunity came along. Now, I will be teaching adults about responsible pet ownership. The subject of animal welfare is a topic that is close to my heart and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to make a difference in this area.
2. What do you hope to achieve?
Together with my colleagues, I want to promote the idea that animals are worthy of our respect and we owe them proper care in return for their unconditional love. As things stand, animals are often looked upon as being inferior beings and perhaps immune to pain or loneliness. I hope that by the end of the project I will have succeeded in contributing towards having happier and healthier pets in Malta.
3. What is your favourite animal?
This is a difficult question to answer as I love all animals and can see myself taking care of goats, rabbits, chickens, a pony, a pig, cats and dogs in my old age! That said, I love dogs dearly for their intelligence and loyalty.
4. Tell us a secret.
I have a phobia of snakes and I am not at all fond of reptiles!
5. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Fortunately not, though a horse did once grab the back of my arm as I walked past it when I was a child. It scared me momentarily but did not put me off horses.
6. What makes Malta great?
Malta is a small place where people know each other and maintain close-knit relationships. People here are normally known as being generous towards charitable causes and helping those in need. Hopefully, the same mentality can be harnessed and made to work in favour of animal welfare on the island.