Founded in 2010, the San Franġisk Animal Welfare Centre in Ta’ Qali offers a 24/7 veterinary service to stray cats and dogs collected by the Animal Welfare Division as well as to patients brought in by private pet owners.

“This comes to around 80 to 100 cases a day, while the average number of overnight hospitalised pets amounts to around 30 a day,” says vet Trevor Zammit, who runs the centre.

Zammit claims the Maltese are increasingly keeping rabbits as pets and the number of exotic birds, small rodents and reptiles is also on the increase. All these can be treated at the hospital, apart from those listed as protected animals under Maltese legislation.

The hospital offers various treatments, including preventive medicine such as routine testing and vaccinations, emergency treatments, diagnostic treatments and surgery.

“The centre is equipped with modern veterinary diagnostic equipment which enables the 10 vets working there to perform diagnostic procedures such as radiography, ultrasounds, and endoscopy,” says Zammit.

“It also allows them to perform different types of surgeries including soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries.”

The centre is also equipped with various life-monitoring equipment.

“This enables the vets, who are in attendance round the clock, to provide intensive care therapy to severely injured patients, such as those that have been poisoned or have undergone severe trauma.”