Freddie Fenech, who founded the Association for Abandoned Animals, is expected to appear in court in two weeks' time - almost nine months after his volunteers accused him of repeated misappropriation of funds.
Police sources told The Sunday Times that the Economic Crimes Unit had already filed the charges against Mr Fenech in court and a magistrate was assigned to preside over the case.
In April last year, five AAA volunteers filed a police report against Mr Fenech, who is a former CID officer, accusing him of siphoning off thousands of euros in donations, as well as causing cruelty to animals and making threats.
They alleged they were unable to account for the donations made directly to Mr Fenech and remained in the dark as to where the money went. They were so afraid to file the report that they were even offered police protection at the request of Animal Welfare Department director Mario Spiteri.
Mr Fenech, who for years was considered to be a champion of stray animals, has denied the accusations levelled against him.
When the story was broken by The Times, there was incredulity, and while several came to Mr Fenech's defence, many more came forward saying it was high time action was taken.
The investigations left donors in a quandary, so in a bid to quell their concerns the AAA members expelled Mr Fenech from his position as association president and took over the running of the Luqa sanctuary.
They also amended the association's statute and registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations as a legitimate NGO.
Contacted yesterday, AAA president Romina Formosa said the first few months after the news broke had been tough because people's trust had been eroded and donations dried up.
Ms Formosa and Rosalind Agius, two of the five helpers who filed the charges, struggled not to let the dogs in the sanctuary down and slowly the public recognised the good work they were doing. "I hope justice will prevail, because the dogs had nothing and for a time they remained with nothing," Ms Formosa said.