George Pullicino, the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs has announced a stray cat and dog neutering programme which will come into effect across Gozo and Malta after consultation and agreement between the Non-Governmental Organisations working within the animal welfare sector.

Under the programme, NGOs will have to regulate themselves according to NGO legislation, cats and dogs they care for will have to be identifiable in an effective manner, such as through microchips, which will be entered into the database run by the Malta Veterinary Association.

Minister Pullicino said that the government had allocated around €350,000 in the last budget for animal welfare and half of this sum will be allocated to finance the neutering programme. The first phase of the programme will involve neutering existing cat colonies on public land, public gardens and other public areas.

The cats living in the open will have to be registered by those looking after them, with registration starting in Mellieha, Rabat, Malta, and all of Gozo. The costs for microchipping and veterinary costs for the neutering and after care will be paid directly to vets and NGOs from the government funds.

Mr Pullicino said discussions on the use of wardens for animal welfare enforcement had been held with the Local Councils Association, but that it was reluctant to take up the idea. The government would, therefore, be studying the possibility of redeploying its own staff in the role of enforcement.

Minister Pullicino said that the remaining half of the budget allocation would be paid to NGOs to upgrade their facilities. The NGOs are required to present their plans by the end of June, the plans will then be considered by an adjudication panel headed by Dr Austin Sammut.