Education Minister Clifton Grima stated on Wednesday that, in collaboration with the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, the government has a negotiated procedure underway for the animal hospital to be re-opened and once again offer its services.

This announcement comes 26 months since Malta's only 24/7 animal hospital, located in Ta' Qali, was forced to close due to "extensive damage" on 18 August 2023. Speaking to this newsroom two years ago, Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina said that she was informed by an official from the Ministry for Animal Rights that the hospital was closed as a result of damage caused to electricity cables while road work was taking place nearby.

In this update, Minister Grima did not divulge into any further details beyond that a negotiated procedure to re-open this animal healthcare facility is underway.

Earlier this month, on World Animal Day, the Nationalist Party issued a statement in which it appealed for the animal hospital to be re-opened as soon as possible.

The PN had also condemned the government's "silence" whenever it was faced with questions on when the animal hospital will re-open, "while also failing to provide any alternative solutions in the meantime."

This situation has left pet owners in fear that they may lose their companion forever should an emergency service arise at unusual hours, the Nationalist Party had added. Since the animal hospital's closure, unfortunate pet owners lamenting on social media have become a tragically uncommon occurrence in popular Maltese Facebook groups.

Minister Grima confirmed that MCAST's veterinary course will also be making a comeback. So far, this course already has 25 applicants, he said.

This information came out of two separate parliamentary questions asked to the Ministers by PN MP Janice Chetcuti.