The "Adopt a Pet Scheme" that was launched last year saw a number of people and families adopt a domesticated animal from the Department of Animal Welfare, the Parliamentary Secretary for Fishing, Aquaculture and Animal Rights said.

The government said that after a period of monitoring by members within the Department, to ensure that the adopted animal is well after the adoption, €70 vouchers are being issued to those who adopted for use in veterinary care.

The handing out of vouchers was announced by the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said. She believes in the need for people to choose to adopt domesticated animals, many of which were originally abandoned, so that they can provide them with shelter and love.

"This voucher we are giving is a gesture of thanks to those people who chose to adopt these animals", she said. She added that the government is going to continue giving its help and incentivising those who look after animals.

"We are going to continue being the voice of animals and guarding their rights. Everyone who provides care for animals will be incentivised by us through various schemes such as this and others that will be announced in the coming weeks and months" said Bugeja Said.

She concluded her address by thanking all the workers of the Department of Animal Welfare for the valuable work they do.

The director of the Department of Animal Welfare, Joseph John Vella, said that the Department will continue its work to protect animals, particularly those that are unfortunately abandoned. He went on to encourage more people to adopt these animals by going to Għammieri or logging into adoptapet.gov.mt.