Another saga has hit the Animal Welfare Ministry. Malta is now the only country in Europe without an animal hospital.
Back in August, the hospital was temporarily closed “after electric cables were hit during roadworks.” Now, we learn that the animal hospital has no license to operate after the vet resigned, but the supposedly animal rights minister (my foot!), said that the veterinary doctor licensed to operate APH Animal Hospital had notified the authorities that she would step down from the role after 31st August 2023. Why wasn’t someone found to replace the vet in question? What a coincidence that the notification to the authorities of the vet’s resignation came with the ‘temporary closure’ of the hospital! Some things are really timed!
It has also “emerged in Parliament that a license to operate as an animal hospital is only possible when one is licensed. The only person that can be licensed is qualified vet.”
Newsbook.com.mt “reached out to veterinary doctor Amanda Lex Ormsby, who held the licence, but she declined to comment on why she resigned.”
“Refalo referred to a previous parliamentary question, and said the animals picked up by Animal Welfare officers are being treated at Happy Paws, Zoomangi, Quality Vet Clinic, Best Friend Clinic and Vet4Pets Health Clinic”.
“The minister also told parliament that the government was not legally bound to use only the services offered by APH to treat any injured animals picked up by the Animal Welfare Directorate. The directorate also takes injured animals to other licensed clinics according to the type of treatment needed, whether it is an emergency, neutering or follow up appointments.” This was already stated in a past blog of this site. And so? APH was built to be of service to the people, not the government! And the original motive was to be affordable for everyone, especially those with low income who love their pets dearly but cannot afford certain treatments and operations, the assistance needed for strays, and being open daily for twenty-four hours.
Anton Refalo, stop talking nonsense and telling tales of bullshit! None of the ‘alternatives’ you have suggested are anything other than basic emergency services, many of which are not twenty-four hours. Your reasoning is equivalent to having Mater Dei temporarily or permanently closed, but with the health authorities telling the people that they can still make use of public health centres, private clinics and private hospitals! Can you see why your logic is illogical and nonsense?
As far as I know, APH was the only facility with a fully equipped operation theatre and specialist equipment. It was also the only place which gave the possibility of convalescence. Albeit costly and I never agreed with its prices and its taking over by the private sector which turned it into a money-making machine, I am still grateful when years ago it saved my late furry son, Sprocket, after he ate some rat venom on a public holiday!
Anton Refalo, why aren’t you using funds so that the Ministry operates its own well-equipped clinic, where even the dogs kept at the Għammieri building, can be rehabilitated after surgery, as I am informed that unless they are fostered, this is not possible for those poor dogs! Anton Refalo, what have you been doing throughout your years as a minister for this ministry! Do you have a healthy emotional wellbeing that makes you push for changes for the welfare of these voiceless creatures who are the mercy of humanity?
Anton Refalo, are you suggesting that your position is one of putting the pet down if it needs a complex surgery?
Anton Refalo, why don’t you for once do something benevolent for the animals, which are at our mercy and thus, should be your primary drive for a better change, and reopen this hospital, with the necessary humane changes to that it truly offers affordable services to pet owners and their beloved pets and to those kind souls who take care of strays, alike?