The majority of pets owned by the Maltese were once roaming the streets, underlining the problem of stray cats and dogs, according to the preliminary results of a questionnaire released yesterday.

The questionnaire, completed by some 7,500 people, formed part of the research resulting from the National Neutering Campaign launched last May. It was undertaken by five animal welfare sanctuaries - SPCA Malta and Gozo, Island Sanctuary, Noah's Ark, the National Cat Society, together with the Rural Affairs Ministry.

Thanks to the campaign, the animal sanctuaries have effectively joined forces, and are now collectively known as the Malta Association of Sanctuaries and Shelters (MASS).

A total of 6,200 of those who filled in the questionnaire were pet owners, SPCA and MASS secretary Jane Bannister Grech told a news conference.

Through the survey it is evident that many Maltese (over 90 per cent) are concerned about the number of strays on the streets, and that control programmes need to be implemented to address the problem.

Ms Bannister Grech said that even if the number of sanctuaries were to triple, there would still not be enough space to house all of the country's stray dogs and cats.

So far around 1,500 stray dogs and cats have been neutered and another 500 were given aftercare treatment thanks to the allocated funds made available after the launch of the neutering campaign.

A quarter of those questioned said they had been attacked or bitten by stray dogs and 71 per cent believe they present a health risk. Ninety one per cent think all owned dogs should be registered.

When the neutering campaign was launched, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino had said that the government would give Maltese sanctuaries two years to improve their standards, otherwise action would have to be taken.

Since then, action has been taken at the Pembroke sanctuary which has been closed down. The dogs which were fostered in this sanctuary are now at the quarantine kennels in Luqa.

Last May, the government allocated €350,000 for the welfare of animals. These funds were divided between the neutering campaign and the upgrade of facilities of various sanctuaries.

Yesterday, Mr Pullicino handed out the cheques to registered NGOs involved with the welfare of animals who applied for a financial aid.

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