Animal aftercare centre being built at Ta' Qali
A €300,000 animal aftercare centre being built in Ta’ Qali will be operational in 2010, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said this morning.
Mr Pullicino spoke about the plans for the cente at a meeting with the media and animal welfare activists this morning. He said that the 500-square metre centre would provide rehabilitation for injured strays and privately owned animals.
In the case of privately owned animals, a nominal fee would be charged to go towards covering the cost of the centre, which would take up to 50 animals.
The centre, the first building in Malta to be a landscaper - a low lying building partly underground, would have an isolation room, a ward for exotic animals, a kennel area, administrative facilities and a waste management area.
The minister stressed that this was not a sanctuary, and the animals would be returned to owners or sanctuaries after rehabilitation.
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charles grech
Dec 24th 2008, 17:58
Ms. Briffa is very right that money should be given to NGO'S WHO CARE.
The original land allocated under Dr. Alfred Sants premiership was so big that it was planned to house all animal sanctuaries there plus an animal HOSPITAL.. The PN government squandered this land and the only available land can only house 50 small animals. This is so true that the only way to built this so called atercare centre is to dig below the surface and make a BUNKER instead that will be full up in less than a week.
In most probability who ever will run this so called aftercare centre will have no option but to take short cuts and put animals down or will have to break the world record of waiting lists. Yes I am of the opinion that the main NGO's who were the main beneficiaries from the Lm150,000 2007 budget allocation will continue to refuse accepting to take more animals by saying that they are either full up or that they do not have enough volunteers to run their sanctuaries.
Tania Briffa
Dec 18th 2008, 15:53
About 15 days ago I found a stray dog in the common part of our appartment. I tried to contact all the sanctuaries in Malta. I received the same reply from all of them i.e. We have no space. The only two persons who came and took the dog were Rennie and Maria. They came at about 8 in the evening after a long day of work, he had to take him in hand and the dog bit him in his face but he still did not worry much as he is a real dog lover. But the problem for these stray dogs remain always the same that they don't have space. Can the Hon minister instead of giving the money to the SPCA who always close the door to people, give a decent place to the persons who really care about animals? I would like to know what will happen to the dogs after the cure received in the new building. Will they end up back in the street? In that case the project is a flop from the beginning.
ANDREW CACHIA
Dec 6th 2008, 10:19
@ J. FARRUGIA
I PERSONALLY AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED AT YOUR COMMENT REGARDING GOD AN HIS MAJESTIC CREATURES, WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU MEAN "WE SHOULD'T WASTE MONEY ON THEM" AND MORE IMOPORTANTLY I BELIEVE YOU MISSED THE PASSAGE IN GENESIS WHERE GOD SAYS THAT WE ARE STEWARDS OF GOD'S EARTH AND ALL HIS CREATURES. IN THIS IT IS DIRECTLY STATING THAT WE SHOULD LOVE AND RESPECT ALL ANIMALS BIG OR SMALL! OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL DUE RESPECT AND CARE FOR FELLOW HUMANS IN EVERY WAY! ITS ALL A QUSTION OF BALANCE AND PRIORITIES!
J. Borg
Dec 5th 2008, 21:28
Regarding the Animal Ambulances withheld by this outdated government.....
Aren't Registration taxes waived for diplomats, weren't the infamous Commonwealth Summit luxery vehicles imported and resold locally exempt from Registration tax?
GonziPN has not forked out a penny for these vehicles - it is simply asked not to rip off tight budgets - so animals can be looked after - considering that the GonziPN has lumped effective animal care onto NGOs.
Coming just days after government's plan to pay out handsome cheques to retired (kicked out) politicians ..... it is cheeky to say the least for this same GonziPN to keep denying animals and their carers the much needed ambulance.
What should we do....use ministerial cars....or those of chairpersons of public authorities - all financed from our taxes!
Minister Pullicino pls get going on this one ...... PM Gonzi don't you think you are letting your government and party sink deeper?
Action pls!
And oh the Day Centre - pls note animals and their human companions need a functional centre, not fancy sketches and empty promises that have been flowing for years now!
deb bugeja
Dec 5th 2008, 21:18
the God I know and love taught me to love and respect animals.
I Zerafa
Dec 5th 2008, 15:05
@ j farrugia... chill out mate!
J Farrugia
Dec 4th 2008, 13:12
@ deb bugeja. Your comment disgusts me. Humans come first not animals. It is written that God made man to rule over the animals and over all His majestic creations. But not to waste time and money on them. Get your priorities right before commenting on other people's morality and common sense. If you have absolutely nothing to do, try going to children's homes or old people's homes and you will be more useful there than serving animals. And unless this comment appears as a right of reply I will sue the Times and this correspondent for libel.
I Zerafa
Dec 4th 2008, 10:18
dear carmel bugeja, if you look carefully at the artists impression.. there actually are quite a number of windows!
i must say that your comparison with saddam's bunker was quite sad! the choice of design for this project was intendended for the building to merge with its surroundings! as im sure that if a block of concrete was to be built, people like you would have immediately commented that this is yet another 'concrete monster' ruining the maltese landscape!
well done to the government for this much needed project!
carmel bugej a
Dec 4th 2008, 09:44
The artist impression of the Animal Aftercare Centre looks more like Saddam Hussein's bunker in Iraq.
One can notice that there is hardly any windows anywhere for fresh air to come in.
This is a major neccessity for sick animals to help them recover. With the nice greenish picturesque artist impression Minister Pulicino clearly shows that he and his advisors does not know anything about animal welfare and has exposed our country as the laughing stock with animal lovers all over the world. Animals in such an aftercare centrre without the neccessary fresh air are more likely to become more sicker after admittance. .
deb bugeja
Dec 4th 2008, 07:57
@ J FARRUGIA
your comment disgust me. Strays have been endouring hard life because people who think like you abandon animals in the streets. animals have feelings too. I dont agree that the government is wasting money on them. I think it is about time we had it. More help should be given to those sanctuaries who take care of stray animals.
Mr Farrugia, speaking of morality is something you dont have.
I am disgusted and don t know why the government isnt helping in giving permission for the animal ambulances to get out in the streets. Really shameful.
A. Mizzi
Dec 3rd 2008, 18:59
Finally....... and hopefully target date will be kept and not end up like another Mater Dei Saga.
And what is an Animal aftercare centre without ambulances ? There are two such vehicles , to be exclusively used as animal ambulances awaiting waiving of duties by George Pullicino's Government . This project can be started off by commissioning these vehicles and maybe Mr. Pullicino’s P.R. can arrange for him to have a first ride to launch the animal ambulance service.
Let it not be an empty shell or an artist impression, or just a vote catching exercise for the next E.U. elections to muffle water , electricity and gas tariff increase.
Andrew Cassar
Dec 3rd 2008, 17:06
What a cheeky architect's impression this is!!! The Building has a green car-park, and a roof covered with grass. Anyone in for a bet, that it will just be a blob of concrete after all?
a.sciberras
Dec 3rd 2008, 17:05
well done!
however we still need to hear about what will happen with the national neutering program and how we will make all owners responsible for their pets to avoid abondonement. we need to tackle the problem at its core!
Joe Casha
Dec 3rd 2008, 16:42
Reading the last paragraph, proves that Minister Pulicino does not know what he is saying or thinks that animal lovers in their majority are stupid.
What will happen when the staff running this so called White Elephant of an after care centre, phone up Island Sanctuary or Noah's Ark and end up with replies:- 'Sorry we cannot accept anymore dogs as we are full up', or we cannot accept anymore dogs and cats because we are short of volunteers'.
Yes Minister Pulicino we all know this is your governments hat trick to win some votes for the M.E.P.'s elections in June. Your governments past vis a vis animal welfare is not a very good one, so much so that during last administration your Animal Welfare Council resigned en bloc because our Minister Pullicino did absolutely nothing to help animals.
This also reminds me of the very nice and presentable presentations that the Nationalist government has been showing us for the past twenty years vis a vis Dock Number 1 in Cospicua. To date nothing has happened.
Go and present the Animal Aftercare Centre to the marines perhaps they will believe you.
Lawrence Magrin
Dec 3rd 2008, 16:38
Mr. J Farrugia please note that at least the money will not be spent on armaments to kill other human beings.
Charles Micallef
Dec 3rd 2008, 16:07
Well done Hon. Minister Pullicino, this is a godsend of a facility for all animals and their carers, please do ignore the arrogant comments, made by some bloggers who should know better and who selfishly think this world only belongs to the human race.
maria jenkins
Dec 3rd 2008, 15:50
And what if all the sanctuaries are full !!! Are the dogs going to be back in the streets???? We need a piece of land to PUT the stray dogs in and not only an after care centre.
manuel magrin
Dec 3rd 2008, 15:43
vide on line comments too
J Farrugia
Dec 3rd 2008, 15:01
It really amazes me, throwing away good money on animals. When i cry for those parents whose children cannot be given certain costly medicine and seeing their children slowly dying in front of their eyes. And yet here comes the government throwing away all this good money for some stray animals. To appease these animal 'lovers'. The world has really gone mad on morality.
John Borg
Dec 3rd 2008, 15:00
@ J.Tonna: shooting from the hip? Do you and I live in the same Malta? Albeit having voted for this government since 1987, I don't have blinkers like some horses do covering my eyes! I have heard so many promises made by successive legislators that yes, I am skeptical sometimes. Ask the hundreds of animals that die a useless death to wait for the outcome. Should I beg to the minister and get down on my knees? I have a lot of faith in Mr Pullichino, but the project does not depend on him alone. He has to be given the promised funds first. How can one not be wary when one is surrounded by so much apathy vis a vis animal welfare in this country? having read Mr Magrins comment, an expert in this field gives me the impression that I am not the only one skeptic here. I speak with maybe a more open mind, something some people brand as anti government maybe, but then again, that's their opinion, not mine.
Robert Piscopo LL.B, Dip. N.P (Notary Public)
Dec 3rd 2008, 13:49
It reminds me of the shire in the Lord of the RIngs Trilogy! Good job goes to Minister Pullicino! Well done
Pamela DeBattista
Dec 3rd 2008, 13:35
Good news since this animal aftercare centre is badly needed on our island especially as it is very hard to find veterinary assistance on weekends / nights. However the Minister stressed that this was not a sanctuary, and the animals would be returned to owners or sanctuaries after rehabilitation. A question pops up in mind .... What will happen to the strays which do not belong to an animal sanctuary once they have been rehabilitated ? Will they be thrown back out on the streets ?
v.vella
Dec 3rd 2008, 13:28
@ J Tonna
I was commenting with my tongue wedged firmly in my cheek!!!!! It was a joke.
J. Tonna
Dec 3rd 2008, 13:08
This is really good news to all animal lovers. Let's hope that when it is ready it will be used with the maximum care.
@ v.vella - 'social cases' when the place will only be able to keep 50 animals? There are more than one animal sanctuaries for such cases.
@ John Borg - before shooting from the hip, why not wait for the outcome and hope for the best?
emanuel magrin
Dec 3rd 2008, 12:52
Just a short note to remind you highly esteemed readers that two vehicles donated by foreigners in 2004 and 2007 - to be exclusively used as animal ambulances - are still locked in a garage since government has refused to waive off dues - being registration tax etc - to let us commission these vehicles to rush sick, injured, and abandoned animals in our care to veterinarians.
THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING.
WORKING FOR THE ANIMALS
EMANUEL MAGRIN
DIRECTOR
SFFA (MALTA)
www.stfrancisfoundation.com
alfie sultana
Dec 3rd 2008, 12:47
i wonder what happens to unsold puppies and kittens (and other animals) in petshops. i wonder how many petshop owners know what "parvo" is! unless people stop buying pets , the stray problem will never be solved. how about a common law about pets by all the countries in the EU? maybe someone who will contest the next EU elections might include it in his/her electoral program/promises
John Borg
Dec 3rd 2008, 12:36
This is welcome news to all animal lovers, but nonetheless, we have heard it all before. I pray that this time, we deliver! Malta is in great need of an animal "hospital / aftercare centre", call it what you wish.
It may be true that animals can't vote, but bear in mind that their owners can! It may also be tru that the country is governed according to priorities, but animals have been ignored for way too long now. Many animal lovers like myself fear having to go through a dilema of finding a Vet on call after hours or on weekends. How many of us have come accross injured animals on the roadside but could not get assistance, only for the poor animal to die an agonising, slow death? Please make this promise one you keep dear Mr. Minister.
v.vella
Dec 3rd 2008, 12:36
The minister stressed that this was not a sanctuary, and the animals would be returned to owners or sanctuaries after rehabilitation.
Does that mean there will be no social cases?!