Animal neutering

Malta has a disproportionately large stray population. The only way to reduce it is to set up a national neutering programme. There is no shortage of animal welfare groups, mostly small charities, some of whom do excellent neutering work but most of whom operate independently of each other. What is needed is a coordinated campaign.

The SPCA has been arguing the case for a national neutering campaign for years. The recent channelling of funds by Yelp For Help, Happy Paws, Community Chest Fund and others into neutering (March 6) is to be applauded. It highlights both the need for a national campaign and the potential benefits it could bring.

Neutering will not significantly reduce Malta's stray population unless it is done on an island-wide basis. The SPCA has channelled the funds it received from L-istrina into neutering and ensures that every one of its animals is neutered before it is adopted. But nobody experiences more than we do that the size of the stray population is overwhelming and the SPCA, the sanctuaries and others cannot continue indefinitely finding homes for an ever increasing stray population. Even if the space were available it would be the wrong policy: Malta desperately needs a nationwide neutering campaign. The government, Yelp for Help, Happy Paws, the sanctuaries, veterinary surgeons, the SPCA - and the public at large - should all be involved together. A properly organised and funded campaign, which could last a couple of years, is the only realistic way to reduce the stray population to a manageable level.

The SPCA is willing to organise and co-ordinate such a campaign. The government could provide medicine and veterinary surgeons.

Each of the various animal welfare groups would do what it does best in a comprehensive, island-wide operation. And everyone on the island who cares about animals could be actively engaged in the campaign through a sustained television and media advertising programme.

It is not beyond our wits to do this. There are enough people in Malta who take animal welfare seriously to make such a campaign happen. Without it, the good work that is being done will be continually undermined. Despite the well-intentioned initiatives of the independent welfare groups, the stray population is increasing every day, inexorably and exponentially. We have to work together to stop it.