Lisa Gwen Baldacchino
Majority of pets in Malta were once strays
1,500 cats and dogs neutered so far
Photo: Ray Attard.
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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Mark Vella Bardon
Oct 9th 2008, 18:08
That government drags its feet is a known fact. It took a lot of pressure for these 350,000 Euros to be included in this year's expenditure. We are assured that it will be again forthcoming next year, especially for the upgrading of sanctuary facilities. One can only put pressure on the authorities to obtain results, it is useless to moan privately. The lacking animal ambulance facilities is a disgrace. I can assure everyone that although in joint consultation with other NGOs with the minister we at Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary are an independent organisation. Meanwhile, it is important that all animal welfare NGOs pull on the same rope and that anyone receiving funds or donations is accountable and registered NGOS.
We hope that when registration of dogs is eventually made law and enforced there will be less irresponsible breeding and abandoning of dogs.
Sure enough, the Animal welfare Act needs amendment and the Animal Welfare Department made TOTALLY independent of the Veterinary Services Department.
Mark Thorogood
Oct 7th 2008, 09:44
@ Mr J Farrugia
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated’.Mahatma Gandhi
where has your morality gone ?
J Farrugia
Oct 6th 2008, 14:19
You adore only your God not an animal. Where has your morality gone? trusting an animal more than your Creator. How low can these animal lovers go.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 5th 2008, 19:23
I read what Mr Serracino Inglott had to say - and I agree with him almost entirely.
This is because I am very much afraid that in order for some sanctuaries to be given money from the Government, they had no option but to allow themselves be coerced into accepting certain points. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT ONE OF THE POINTS WAS NOT THE KILLING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CULLING.
I have my doubts.
Veterinarians are being too much of the small pie that the Government has handed out, regarding animals.
I will not believe that the Government, or any of his ministers, are doing anything in favour of animals until I see a proper Animal Welfare Act in place and the installation of a Commisisoner for Animals who would be completely separate from any Government department.
I repeat that the Questionnaire in question was disgusting - I read it and I refused to fill it in because the questions asked put stray animals in a very bad light.
At the helm, we need people who love - no, adore - animals and not common civil servants dressed in shirt and tie.
Carmel Serracino-Inglott
Oct 5th 2008, 17:46
part two
The question is ' Who is really helping stray dogs ( and cats) ? Definitely not those who 'collect' what comes in their way and they do not know how to keep them . These people should join other established NGO and help over there. If the established NGOs have enough volunteers then they will accept more animals in their shelters. The government has stepped in and offered funds ( this is from taxes) . To accept these funds is good for the animals who will live a better life. I can assure you that most of the money is going to be used to improve the sanctuaries; then we can have a show piece and invite tourists to visit our sanctuaries who will donate some money and thus we could continue to keep the animals under very good conditions and sooner rather than later in an organized way we can accept more strays as residents of our sanctuaries. ( I said most of the money because I do not agree that the government involved the local vets = lots of money: when EU vets offered to come over free of charge; Why I ask Mr. Government?
Carmel Serracino-Inglott
Oct 5th 2008, 17:27
Re the other two comments.
I fully agree that the government should waive tax re these two cars and allow them to be on the road for the sake of the animals. The sooner the better. Please Govt oblige.
But I do agree that the government is not keeping the promises made. On the contrary we are moving forward under Pulicino-- not exactly as I would like but WE ARE not just talking but doing something. The food for the animals does not fall under the central government but if anything the local councils may see about it. It is a local affair.
People cannot just say ' i am founding a society (NGO) without first looking ahead and see that they can really run it. There are unfortunately persons who do just that and then complain a lot that they have no food and the animals will be dumped on the other NGO's who know their capabilities and who thus in turn may then refuse to accept the animals and will be condemned by these same people who are writing before me. The Govt said that the handout will be for the improvement of infrastructure of the sanctuaries (cont)
Wilfred Brincat
Oct 5th 2008, 11:47
In 2004 a foriegn person donated a vehicle to The Saint Francis Foundation (www.saintfrancisfoundtion.com) to be used exclusively for the transportation of sick and injured animals under their care. Another vehicle was also donated in 2007.
Since these vehicles have foreign registration plates, S.F.F.A applied to have registration taxes etc waived off, as these vehicles were going to be used for a VERY GOOD CAUSE.
They were referred to the good causes funds only to be told just a week before the general elections, that their request has been short listed. Todate one of the vehicles has been garaged for four years and the other one since January this year.
This is another proof of how much the present government does not deliver what it promises.
Further more S.F.F.A was one of the many animal welfare N.G.O's that did not get one cent out of the Lm150,000 allocated in this year's budget for 'Animal Welfare'
The majority of the NGO's were not consulted, and to add insult to injury Minister George Pullicino gave them 90 days to sign a memorandum of understanding, to accept forced conditions. Funds for food and medicines?
Franco Farrugia
Oct 5th 2008, 10:25
I condemned this questionnaire: the questions were not well-panned and not animal-friendly. On the contrary, I felt that the questionnaire itself was suggesting a certain message to those who were filling it.
I also disagree, in the circumstances, that various sanctuaries have now joined forces. They may have done so after having been coerced into selling their very souls in order to be eligible for a few euros to help them out.
Dr George Pullicino should not twist the arms of those who, in some way, are helping stray dogs. It is rich for him to pontificate as to what should or should not be done. He should roll up his sleeves and put his money in his mouth with regard to animals.
Animals are not being treated well by the Government, and action needs to be taken, fast!