The neutering campaign between September 4 and 10 led to the operation of 550 animals - 478 cats and 72 dogs, 13 of which were micro-chipped, the Agriculture Parliamentary Secretariat said.

It said that thanks to the help of a non-governmental organisation, the campaign was a successful one as an average of 60 animals per day were operated. There were five foreign veterinarians carrying out the operations. They were assisted by local vets.

The campaign was also successful thanks to the assistance of feeders who took the cats in their area for the operation.

Operations were carried out on strays that lived in the Birkirkara, Kalkara, Birzebbuga, Siggiewi, Zabbar, Cospicua, Mriehel and Floriana areas, the secretariat said.