Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1250967
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MAY 2020 8 CULTURE NATURE THE Malta Society for the Pro- tection and Care of Animals (MSPCA) has launched a crowd- funding campaign on local plat- form Zaar to support the refur- bishment of its charity shops and to raise funds for the Flori- ana Rehoming Centre. The 'MSPCA – Make a Dif- ference Today' campaign has been set up to raise the funds required to continue the vital work of the Rehoming Cen- tre, which has seen a rapid decrease in income due to the closure of MSPCA shops in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term goal of MSPCA to refurbish both its charity shops based in Sliema and Mosta – as well as increas- ing the capacity of the Sliema branch – will also be addressed via the campaign. "Our charity shops emerged in response to our lack of funds, as we do not receive monthly funding from the government," explains Mary Cassar Torreggiani, MSPCA's Fundraising Manager. "These charity shops are big long-term investments that are essential for the running of our Floriana home – but as they have been closed for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to find new ways to raise funds." As the oldest animal welfare and homing centre on the is- land, the MSPCA is geared towards rehoming, while giv- ing all animals the best in love, care, and attention. Investment in the MSPCA not only sup- ports its daily operations, but also continues the professional training it provides to its staff in collaboration with organi- sations such as Dogs Trust, so that the team combining paid professionals and kind volun- teers is sustained. To help it achieve its over- all funding goal of €7,000, the 'MSPCA – Make a Difference Today' campaign on Zaar offers a series of attractive rewards besides the satisfaction of help- ing local animals through sup- porting the MSPCA. Through open donations of €10 or more, backers can come to the shel- ter and enjoy the company of a dog on a walk. Campaign back- ers who donate €15 or €20 will receive an equivalent voucher to be used within the MSPCA shops, while those donating €50 will receive a shop voucher and a card to be able to redeem points in the future, and those contributing €100 will also be eligible to become an MSPCA member. "The MSPCA shops provide a valid service to the community in many ways – from encour- aging the reuse and recycling of many items and offering a va- riety of excellent quality items at low cost, to supporting the animals that we need as much as they need us," continues Ms Cassar Torreggiani. "This is a cause that benefits our animals, our environment and the well- being of our society. Every little bit helps to make our home a better place!" Visitors are invited to make a donation to the 'MSPCA – Make a Difference Today' crowdfund- ing campaign on Zaar online at www.zaar.com.mt/projects/ mspca/. More information, in- cluding the visiting hours of the home and how to volunteer at the home or shops, may also be found at www.maltaspca.org MSPCA crowdfunds to support animal rehoming centre The crowdfunding campaign on Zaar aims to fund the vital work of the Floriana Rehoming Centre, since the income from its shops ceased amidst the COVID-19 pandemic