Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino has had an informal meeting with six animal welfare organisations, the Gozo SPCA, Noah’s Ark, the Malta SPCA, Island Sanctuary, Association for Abandoned Animals, and the Cat Sanctuary, to discuss their future goals.

In the budget, the government allocated Lm150,000 to the organisations which look after abandoned animals. The animal welfare organisations plan to utilise half of the money allocated towards a neutering program to control strays. The remainder of the budget allocation will go towards upgrading existing animal sanctuaries. The Malta Veterinary Association has signalled its willingness to help with the neutering program.

Mr Pullicino also invited the animal welfare organisations to formalise their position and register as Non-Governmental Organisations in line with the new Voluntary Organisations Act, which will soon be coming into force.