Justice for Ruby, Kim and the rest: A Call for Change in Pet Care Regulations

Seeking Justice for Ruby and Kim: A Call for Change in Pet Care Regulations

This summer in Gozo, tragedy struck the lives of two beloved pets, Ruby and Kim that caused immense suffering to their families.

On July 14th, our beloved dog Ruby, a gentle female British staffie, was handed to Pet Sitters Gozo under care of Cassie Gold, to look after her whilst we were abroad. On July 19th, we received a call from the pet sitter, informing us that Ruby had allegedly leapt out of a window's mosquito netting while left alone for hours.

What we later discovered was that, Ruby had been secretly reported missing on July 15th to Animal Welfare and that the pet sitter had left the country that same day – the pet sitter never notified us, the owners, about any of this and we were kept in the dark. The crucial hours and days to find her during a blistering heat wave of 40 degrees, had been taken away from us. When confronted, the pet sitter's explanation was that Ruby had been lost twice(!) – once on the 15th (unreported to us) and a second time on the 19th- which feels to us a reality even more unbelievable than the first.

Nearly 2 months later, Ruby remains shrouded in mystery and her whereabouts unknown. We have no closure, we don’t know what to think. We continue, to this day, to search for her relentlessly, holding faith and hope that she is somewhere.

The pain of not knowing, of not being able to hold her close, is a weight too heavy to bear. Emily and Amir

“Kim was a 3-year-old male German Shepherd, a gentle giant, incredibly sensitive, that loved his family beyond belief.

On the 19th August, we entrusted Kim to ‘Pet Sitters Gozo’, since we had to go abroad for a family wedding. On Friday 25 August, around 4pm (Malta time), two days before our return to Malta, we received the dreadful call that Kim had escaped the pet sitter's residence due to the front door being left open/ajar. We did all we could, feeling helpless, thousands of kilometres away, to contact anyone that could help in the search for Kim. After a few phone calls, we got to know that Kim had been missing since Friday morning, around 8 hours prior to us having been notified by the pet sitter.

Kim braved the scorching landscape to look for us ignoring his need for the most basic element water, because to him we were his only hope. After looking for us tirelessly for 54 whole long hours, his strength waned and his organs faltered- on Sunday 27 August, Kim succumbed to the relentless grip of dehydration.

In a desperate search for solace, Kim sought refuge at the edge of the cliffs, a heartbreaking testament to the depths of his suffering. His fate should have been one of protection, nurturing, and love from professionals who understood their solemn duty.” Edward & Diane

During this challenging time, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out and offered their support in this case. We've encountered some amazing souls who have shown us the true meaning of altruism and what it means to be a human being. Complete strangers have called us, shedding tears of empathy and heartfelt sorrow. We've met many new people who have joined us in the daily search for answers.

For Kim, Ruby and all the future victims of unregulated pet boarding services, we must stand together. Their suffering should not be in vain. We implore the public to join us in seeking justice at a legal level, to hold those responsible, accountable for their negligence. We call upon the government of Malta to enact and enforce regulations that ensure those entrusted with our furry family members are properly trained and competent, preventing unqualified individuals from profiting at the expense of innocent lives.

In their names, we pledge to fight for change. We will spread awareness and we will demand a future where no pet faces such a heart-wrenching fate. Together, we will turn this tragedy into a catalyst for transformation, ensuring that no family endures the pain we are experiencing again.

We kindly ask you to consider making a donation to support our cause. The funds collected will be used to fight the ongoing legal battle against the pet sitter in question, to spread awareness about the need for legal change, and to support animal welfare organisations, SPCA, animal sanctuaries, and rehoming programs. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in our mission to bring justice to Ruby, Kim, and countless other animals.

With heartfelt gratitude for your support,

Ruby and Kim’s families.