Malta is to get its first ever animal cemetery which can cater for over 11,000 animal memorials and will be sited at Ta' Qali.

No animal will be buried on site and all will be rigorously cremated in a nearby crematorium which was also approved by Mepa.

So there is no risk of the groundwater being contamined by animal burials.

The animal cemetery will be next to the St Francis centre for animals and in front of the Monti and vegetable market.

The cremated remains will be put in jars which can either be taken home by the owners or else left in a pigeon-hole in the cemetery. Eventually, there may be as many as 11,000 of these pigeon-holes.

The site is 1700 sq m and all trees on the site will be relocated. Since most of them are fruit trees, it is not thought they can be replanted anywhere else. Surrounding the cemetery will be a row of cypresses. 

The cemetery will be struictly for dogs and cats only. A board member asked if the burial eg of a parrot will be accepted but she was told that the cemetery will be rigorously for dogs and cats as otherwise people may be tempted to bury a favourite horse.

Board member Alex Vella disagreed with the proposal because Ta' Qali, as he said, is a place for fun and enjoyment and not the place for a cemetery. He was told the Mtarfa Cemetery is also at Ta' Qali but nevertheless he still was the only one to vote against.