The Malta Veterinary Association said that its members are offering a variety and every growing list of services.

The association was reacting to the closure of the animal hospital at Ta’ Qali. The hospital has been closed for more than two months.

This week, Animal Rights Anton Refalo contradicted the reasoning given by his own Permanent Secretary as to why the Ta’ Qali animal hospital remains closed.

An Animal Rights' Ministry official had told The Malta Independent that electrical surges which caused the hospitals' temporary closure had also caused "extensive damage" inside the hospital and that the hospital's operator must first go through administrative processes, such as insurance consultations, before the hospital can reopen.

Refalo, on the other hand, told Parliament this week that the veterinary professional who was operating the hospital had notified that her licence would lapse after 31 August – just under two weeks before the hospital shut down. Refalo said that a licence for a veterinary establishment to operate as an animal hospital can only be given to someone who has a warrant to practice as a veterinary doctor.

In a statement, the association said that beyond the day-to-day services which vary from basic diagnostics and consultations to more complex diagnostics such as ultrasound, x-rays, and complex surgeries, clinics offer an out-of-hours service to their own clients.

To the veterinarians involved, there is also a 24/7 small animal emergency contact number which is available to clients. Several clinics across Malta also offer extended opening hours, some even open till midnight on weekdays, and a few hours on weekends, and on public holidays.

Specialisation is also a growing sector in Malta, from orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, dermatologists, ultrasound specialists, neurologists, and many more. The association said it wanted to assure the Maltese pet owners that these services will continue to be offered on a regular basis.