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.