During a visit to a dog park, the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, reviewed the work carried out by local councils in relation to animal welfare.
They explained that in recent years, local councils have played an instrumental role in protecting animals. Proof of this is the fact that today every local council has a councillor responsible for animal welfare. They added that the government has launched several schemes, including vouchers for cat feeders, and has started collecting useful information from local councils about the cat colonies in each town and city.
The Parliamentary Secretaries also explained that through the upcoming year's Budget, the Government will continue to assist organizations working in the animal welfare sector by allowing them to benefit from special rates on electricity and water bills, which are currently charged at a non-residential rate.
Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli stated that in recent years, local councils have collaborated with the Animal Welfare Directorate to launch several initiatives aimed at further strengthening animal protection. She explained that each local council now has a councillor serving as an animal welfare guardian, which allows for better awareness of animals within communities and strengthens practices and regulations in this sector.
"Animal welfare within our communities is extremely important to continue strengthening, and therefore, as a Government, we are continuing to launch incentives and implement Budget measures. In recent years, our Local Councils have worked with the Animal Welfare Directorate on several initiatives, benefiting from funds to implement various projects such as dog parks, cat cafés, and educational campaigns within localities, so that we continue to reinforce animal welfare," said Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli.
For her part, Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said stated that with the expected reopening of the Animal Hospital, this marks an important step toward improving public veterinary care. She also explained that the process will begin for the construction of an animal crematorium and a new rehoming centre for stray animals, including horses.
"As a Government, we continue to strengthen our commitment to protecting animal welfare and offering modern, sustainable services for all those who love and care for animals. The number of measures announced in the 2026 Budget clearly shows our vision for Malta-one that places animal welfare at the centre of its policy. Every step we are taking, from the opening of the hospital to the creation of new facilities for stray animals, is being done to ensure that every animal receives proper care and respect," concluded Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.