A new sanctuary for abandoned cats has been inaugurated in Ghammieri.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, as well as Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said inaugurated the new sanctuary with an investment of €150,000.

In a press conference, Animal Welfare Director Patricia Azzopardi said that the sanctuary can hold up to 150 cats, which are often rounded up by officials from the Animal Welfare Department.

The sanctuary will hold cats that have been abandoned, injured, or rescued from the streets. The sanctuary will also have a dedicated area for the isolation of sick cats, and another area where they are cared for by veterinarians.

Refalo said that the sanctuary was part of the Budget, and the ministry is ensuring the strengthening and improvement of the infrastructure to give cats and other animals on the streets an adequate place to be given care.

Bugeja Said said that the need for a bigger space for abandoned cats has been felt for several years. She said that this project will be of greater support for years to come.

The process to transfer all the cats from the old area to the sanctuary will continue in the coming days after all animals are inspected by veterinarians of the Directorate, the government said. This is to ensure that they are in a state of good health to be able to mix with other cats in the new sanctuary.

Government said that it is committed to continue providing financial support to non-profit organisations as well as to the various animal sanctuaries in the country.