The Government, the Department of Animal Welfare, the voluntary sector, and all people need to come together in order to work towards ensuring that all animals in Malta get the best protection possible, Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said said.

She spoke following a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli and representatives from local councils.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss a scheme allocated by the Government to assist local councils in carrying out projects related to the health and protection of animals within their respective localities.

The mayors and councillors were able to use the meeting as an opportunity to provide their views on how the scheme should be extended and utilised going forward. Bugeja Said and Zerafa Civelli said that as part of the work being done as part of the Reform Strategy within the Directorate of Animal Protection, this consultation will serve to further develop the scheme.

Bugeja Said emphasised that a component of the reforms is that the government is discussing with Local Councils and other parties in order to take into account their views and experiences on relevant matters.

Zerafa Civelli said that a responsibility held by local councils is to ensure the protection and rights of animals within their localities. She said that this meeting has allowed the government to hear directly from the local councils and animal stewards, which allowed them to directly provide relevant information regarding the needs and challenges being faced. She concluded that this will contribute to making it so animals can live comfortable lives within clean environments.