Animal care centre to open on Sunday
An artist's impression of the animal care centre at Ta' Qali. The turf on the roof is still being laid.
Malta's first dedicated animal aftercare centre will be inaugurated at Ta' Qali on Sunday by the Prime Minister.
The centre, set up by the Resources Ministry close to the vegetable market at Ta'Qali, will feature facilities for the care of strays picked up by the Animal Welfare Department and rehabilitation services for pets that would have been operated privately but need post-operative care.
The €300,000 facility will be geared to offer care for a range of animals, including horses.
It also features an isolation room for contagious cases, an exotic animal ward, kennels and a dedicated area to process waste produced by the animals.
Looking somewhat like a bunker, with part of it underground, the centre was designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. Insulation has been installed to muffle the sounds inside and protect the centre from extreme temperatures.
A spokesman for the Resources Ministry said the opening of the centre followed the creation of the Animal Welfare Department and the setting up of the animal ambulance service.
He said that the new centre would not provide long-term housing of animals, and that role would continue to be performed by the animal sanctuaries and a section of Ghammieri Farm. A nominal fee would be charged for care provided to pets, and the money would go towards covering part of the centre’s running costs.
The centre is to be named after St Francis, patron saint of animals, whose feast will be celebrated early next month.
The centre will be open for visitors between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
13 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
James Catania
Sep 30th 2010, 16:00
"for the care of strays picked up by the Animal Welfare Department and rehabilitation services for pets that would have been operated privately but need post-operative care."
So, animals operated privately, but need post-op rehab? like what? the 12hours after a neutering. First of all I say proset, cause its always a step forward, but again I think , what is this centre going to do exactly apart from being a hotel for animals. Those who were lucky enough to be operated privately.
It says it features an isolation room etc. but no surgery will be done right ? just post-op care. That makes sense.
P Mallia
Sep 30th 2010, 17:31
The Centre will not only serve for post-op for animals, but there will also be all the other services a vet usually offers...it will be truly a state of the art facility!!
Thumbs up George Pullicino and his staff!!
kevin camilleri
Sep 30th 2010, 07:48
PROSET
L.Farrugia
Sep 30th 2010, 00:54
very well done for this centre. Now what we need is some of the legislations which we have been promised such as the petshop regulations, regulations for sanctuaries, regulations for the karozzini, regulations for dangeous exotic animals and so forth.
l.schembri
Sep 30th 2010, 00:50
no mention have been made who is going to run the centre. Is it the government through the animal welfare department , a coalition of vets, or a coalition of NGOs. Hope that the centre will be more efficient than the rescue service. Hope that the quarantine unit will not find itself up at ta' Qali.
monica muscat
Sep 29th 2010, 23:43
How happy these news items make me. Finally we are seeing some hard work giving its fruits. Let us hope that everything will go smoothly. That there will be no excessive red tape but with the uttmost transparent administration. We animal lovers and pet owners have had too many disappointments and frustrations these last months.
A big THANK YOU from our animal friends to all those who worked so hard towards this achievement.
roger flett
Sep 29th 2010, 23:04
"He said that the new centre would not provide long-term housing of animals, and that role would continue to be performed by the animal sanctuaries"
This is a great step forward for animal welfare in Malta, but how will it help the already overcrowded situation that exists within the animal sanctuaries? I can't help feeling that the the people who conceived this project missed a great opportunity, by forging ahead with such a costly project without ever consulting the body of people who had the most solid contribution to make towards what was needed, i.e. the animal sanctuaries, that they are now so heavily relying on to make this thing fly.
I sincerely hope that it will indeed meet the vision of whomsoever conceived it.
gcForte
Sep 29th 2010, 22:49
Hip Hip Hip..... Horray............Three cheers for the government especially George Pullicino the Minister. On behalf of the animals I say thank you.............This is not a sarcastic comment. but I really mean it.
Paul Borg
Sep 29th 2010, 21:28
This is a five star blessing from heaven. It was needed desperately and now it's here. Run it well Janice !! godspeed
A Sammut
Sep 29th 2010, 20:29
This is probably the nicest piece of news I ever read in The Times online. Finally some funds and effort dedicated to our friends the animals, many of whom end up ill-treated, abused or as hungry and dirty strays in the streets. A big WELL DONE to all those who worked towards the success and completion of this great project. The efficiency of this animal centre will now depend on the people who run it ..... on how much the work they do will come from the heart and not just as any other common job. I wish them all the best of luck.
Fr. Pascal Magro, ofm conv.
Sep 29th 2010, 19:11
Congratulations to all involved in the creation of such < animal care centre>! Paul VI once invited all catholic veterinarians to serve suffering animals in the spirit of Paul to Romans 8, 19: "The creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God... The whole creation has been groaning in travail...". The dedication of the centre to Saint Francis of Assisi is most apt as John Paul II in 1979 has proclaimed him the best historical model of man-animal brotherly behaviour. "Praised be my Lord for all the sky, earth and sea creatures"!
M.Brincat
Sep 29th 2010, 19:11
Well done!
C. Balzan
Sep 29th 2010, 18:52
That's great news!!! Finally