Local animal shelter MSPCA said that another female dog at the shelter has recently fell ill to a preventable illness and died, as it also struggles to combat the costs of vet bills which are on the rise.

In a statement released on Sunday, the MSPCA reeled at the unfortunate loss of the female dog Maggie, who had earlier last week fell ill to Pyometra.

The shelter explained that Pyometra is a condition caused by an infection in the uterus.

"Known as the silent killer, it is 100% preventable through neutering," it said.

Maggie could not be neutered earlier due to other health complications that made her a bad candidate for surgery at the time but had been cleared to receive the surgery in September, the MSPCA said, adding that other female dogs remain to be neutered.

The shelter also highlighted that while the Parliamentary Secreteriat for Animal Rights had recently promised a renewed scheme to help cover some of the costs for intakes to animal shelters, shelters remain sceptic that this will ever happen.

"Grants for the same scheme have not been fulfilled since 2021, and more animals given to the MSPCA by Animal Welfare for rehoming still await their appointments," the shelter said.

It said that it is trying hard to combat these costs brought into the shelter by Animal Welfare, however, rising veterinary costs are also proving challenging, among other costs which are also increasing.

"Maggie is not a young dog, putting her under anaesthesia in this state, at this stage, is risky. If we don't go for surgery first thing in the morning, Maggie will NOT make it," the MSPCA said on a Facebook post when Maggie was still fighting for her life last Thursday.

"Vet bills are also constantly on the rise and are becoming a BIGGER challenge for shelters to cover each year," it had said.

The MSPCA urged the public to neuter their pets to prevent their suffering and unnecessary death from Pyometra, while appealing to the public for sensitivity as it deals with yet another loss in such a short time.