Animal welfare awareness

The leader on animal welfare issues (July 15) provided much food for thought.

It is an indisputable fact that animal welfare, and issues related to it, have moved up several notches in the hierarchy of people's priorities over the past years.

This is due to a number of reasons, mainly, the increased awareness among our younger generations, increased government spending and last, but not least, the sterling work by the ever-increasing army of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy for the sake of these animals.

The sheer dedication of the staff at the Animal Welfare Department is also a pivotal factor in increased awareness and timely interventions, which are resulting in saving various animals.

The leader mentions a number of cases, prominently highlighted in The Times of interventions by our people who resulted in the dual scope of raising awareness against cruelty while saving animals' lives.

The fraud case initiated against a renowned individual was also the result of bold actions taken after we were presented with allegations which, if verified, could well mean that funds that were being donated to animal welfare were being siphoned off for illegitimate purposes.

I endorse the appeal made by The Times for greater accountability and harsher penalties but it is significant in itself that we can now discuss these issues because the basic infrastructure is being put in place, slowly but surely.

I had the occasion, recently, to visit the ongoing works at the animal after-care centre in Ta' Qali. It is a monument to our sensibility towards animals.

It is also a tribute to a generous society, which is willing to see a portion of public funds being used in this way.

It was also recently that I presided over the inauguration of a free, 24-hour ambulance service for strays.

This will increase further our ability to cater for stray animals. I would like to thank Noah's Ark and Gozo SPCA for running this service both in Malta and in Gozo.

One should not forget the various other initiatives undertaken in this regard, among them the funds intended for the upgrading of animal sanctuaries and the neutering campaign, which was initiated last year.

It is our intention to continue this initiative and to register progress on the neutering scheme.

The leader writer of The Times is perfectly right in seeking certain answers.

But one should never make the mistake of not considering the huge progress being registered in this sphere.

Let's not forget that, even in sensitive times such as this, the government is not keeping back from maintaining its commitments and obligations towards this sector.

I am sure it is this spirit that will save more animals while raising awareness.