The following are proposals that will be presented to Minister Anton Refalo after having been drafted by Dr Romina Frendo who is but one of a number of animal rights' activists who have trapped, neutered, fostered, adopted and helped find homes for hundreds of animals over the years. Because Animal Rights and subsequent welfare in Malta are not adequately addressed and in view of the fact that the Maltese are increasingly more cognizant of the fact that our animal friends demand the same love and care that they give to us plus the recognition of the suffering of all animals that goes on with impunity, ignored and perpetuated for far too long, a team of seven activists is now joining forces to present to the respective authorities, seven proposals that will affect and improve the quality of life of animals in the Maltese Islands.

RAR or Real Animal Rights for the Maltese Islands, as the new team is calling itself, is backing these proposals that are to be implemented as soon as possible and within this year, without further delay following necessary plans of action. RAR pledges to work with the respective authorities to deliver and implement the following seven proposals:

1. A national mass-neutering programme;

2. Responsible pet ownership that includes neutering and microchipping;

3. The compulsory chipping of bred dogs and cats;

4. Farm/working-animal welfare;

5. Wild Animals in Captivity - a review, assessment and re-evaluation;

6. Immediate removal of dangerous poisons widely available and thus abused; and

7. A respite centre to shelter and protect pets/animals whose elderly/sick owners can no longer keep and animals that roam the streets abandoned or lost. The centre would also cater for heavily pregnant animals to give birth in safety, rather than have these give birth and contribute to their suffering, injury and population growth on the streets.

1. A national mass-neutering programme for cats specifically As mentioned earlier, while a past Dogs Trust Neutering campaign had left much fruit when it was launched and implemented, cat feeders have for years been supported by clinics such as the NGO Happy Paws, among other vets who have offered reduced prices or who have offered members the opportunity to neuter and spay male and female cats, so that colonies would be controlled and less kittens would suffer cruel deaths on the streets. However, since as a population, many cat owners do not neuter their pets and let them roam the streets impregnating or being impregnated by strays; since many cats are just abandoned in a heartless manner and left to fend for themselves in a terrifying and alien environment; since some feeders are unable or unaware of the benefits of neutering and since another sizable part of the population thinks that neutering is detrimental to their animals, cat colonies continue to grow and to suffer more. This must end.

2. Responsible pet/animal ownership that includes neutering and microchipping and adequate living standards and conditions for all animals in Malta Where cats are involved, such responsible ownership would eliminate the contribution that irresponsible pet owners burden the stray community even further. If one takes the responsibility of owning a pet, this is no whimsical decision but one that must be borne with responsibility as is done in other countries which have successfully controlled the number of stray cats in their towns and cities, all because of regulation, microchipping and neutering that are part and parcel of a national educational campaign.

3. The compulsory microchipping and registration of bred dogs and cats for sale We have many so-called unregulated "breeders" on the island. These people make a living out of the mating and subsequent breeding of animals, some of whom are abused through repeated mating cycles. This cannot go on.

4. Farm animal welfare to be assessed and re-evaulated We demand an investigation and assessment of all national current practices in the upkeep, breeding, rearing and subsequent methods that are currently in practice in slaughter houses. These need review and reassessment in order to try and minimise the misery and pain at all stages.

5. Wild animals in captivity - a review, assessment and re-evaluation It is with alarm that we hear of increasing numbers of wild animals being allowed into the Maltese Islands, even more alarming to hear of the seemingly uncontrolled numbers of wild animals currently held in so-called parks. We demand that these animals be assessed by international wildlife experts who will determine if standards are what they should be and in case that these are found to be sub-standard, organise a rehabilitation programme to have these animals returned to adequate and suitable environments.

6. Immediate removal of dangerous poisons widely available and thus abused Calls to end the abuse have been ignored. Pet and stray cats and dogs have died and are still dying horrible deaths due to this abuse by individuals who make it their responsibility to inflict maximum damage and exterminate colonies because they deem it their right to do so.

7. A respite no-kill centre for orphaned/homeless/special needs animals needs to be identified A centre to shelter and protect pets whose elderly/sick owners can no longer keep their pets; to take in cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, even horses and less frequently farm animals etc. who roam the streets abandoned or lost and which are not collected by Animal Welfare because it is not their policy to collect such animals unless injured. The centre would also cater for heavily pregnant animals to give birth in safety, rather than have these give birth and contribute to their suffering, injury and population growth on the streets.

If you agree with the proposals, please sign and share the petition available on: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/community_petitions/dr_anton_refalo_minister_for_agriculture_fisheries_the_2020_malta_animal_welfare_reform_proposals/?aXWRJjb or simply Google The 2020 Malta Animal Welfare Reform proposals and sign.