Good initiatives were announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said for this new year.
In a short feature accompanied by a post, Alicia Bugeja Said announced that 2024 will see more commitment and work for the well-being of animals. Bugeja Said announced that this year, the mass neutering campaign of stray cats will continue. Help will also be given to cat feeders, NGOs, and sanctuaries. Sanctuaries will also be helped when it comes to their maintenance because these require a lot of yearly finances. When it comes to the latter, would it be possible for some sanctuaries to be given a facelift? Pens are really bare and cold. Some of them lack a warm, welcoming space where they can organize fundraising events. I would suggest a kitchenette and a room with washing machines where they can re-wash the carpets and bedding used for dogs and cats. There is a lot of work to do to attract more funds so to keep the sanctuary going. It is also time that these sanctuaries have paid employees too. Back in 2008, the government had agreed “to second three of its full-time employees”, on the back then existing salaries and conditions, “to work at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary” which is at Mellieħa. I am not aware if other local sanctuaries have paid full-time employees but surely they rely on many volunteers. The Animal Welfare Shelter one, for example, relies on volunteers on walking the dogs and taking them out. I will talk about this dog walking procedure and its issues in a future blog.
While thanking the Animal Ministry for these initiatives, we all agree that there is more that needs to be done for the welfare of animals. Here is my input:
Firstly, amendments must be done to the current laws and their reinforcement for anyone who is caught neglecting, abandoning and/or abusing their pet. Is it true that according to information that this site received, the animal welfare ministry fires employees who refuse to give dogs back to their abusive owners? Is it true that there was a case of an abusive owner who was given back his dog because the ministry ordered a sanctuary to do so? I hope that this is not true. I hope that the animal welfare ministry, which should lead by example, does not act out of nepotism and vindictiveness when it comes to its employees and I hope that its employees do not use any vindictive agenda with ulterior motives while using and putting the shelter dogs in between.
Secondly, there must be law enforcement on all those who keep pets in a garage, on the roof or in a yard. This should be banned.
Thirdly, we are still waiting for the regulation of pet sitters in memory of the dogs who lost their lives while at the pet sitter. And let us not forget Ruby – who disappeared while at a pet sitter and has not yet been found. The pet sitter of Kim and Ruby is still working as a pet sitter, as the Facebook page shows.
Fourthly, the ministry must enforce the microchipping and tagging of dogs and cats. A way must be found for this to be enforced on all pet owners. With the latest rise in abandonment of dogs who ended up at the Animal Welfare shelter, it is clear that these dogs were not chipped and thus owner was left roaming scotch free without any penalty for abandoning a being who was at his care. Only through the enforcement of microchipping and tagging, owners can be traced. There must also be a computerized database with all necessary information. If owner happens to change abode or contact details, the owner is obliged to advise the department with the changes.
Fifth, the immediate banning of illegal breeding and a list of illegal breeders that the department must have. In this way, these breeders are prohibited from purchasing or adopting other pets. Legal breeders are also to be put in a list, monitored and kept in check with legal obligations.
Sixth, a change in the way the adoption process is carried out by the Animal Welfare Shelter. This site has received some complaints from people who sent a private message in the past showing their interest to adopt [or volunteer] and they never got any reply. This site has also received some complaints from others who are really loving pet owners, and yet they were refused a dog. This site was also informed that some were even discouraged from adopting a dog of their choice but with perseverance, they managed. I am not aware how the adoption process is tackled and I am no expert in it and in no way am I pointing fingers. I understand it carries a lot of responsibility. But closing doors without even replying to the person, does not look good on the shelter of the ministry. I think that the ministry should come up with a written adoption procedure which allows some flexibility for employees to follow without putting the dogs in danger of being given to abusive homes.
Seventh, a change in the way animal welfare officers work when a case of abuse and neglect is reported. This site was informed that there was a case when the officers went on the spot, did not find anyone in the house and left. So? Does the case stop here? In this particular case, the pets remained in agony for five months until the owner released them and gave them away to an activist. Are there more steps involved in such a process? Do the officers leave a letter of warning in the letter box, with added information like a date and time when they will go again? If no one opens during the second visit, are the officers given legal rights and a mandate to break into the house? Or can they be assisted by the police? This is what is done in America and Australia for example.
Eight, the banning/regulating of over-the-counter sale of snail/slug/rat poison in memory of Milo. If there are places which have been infested with rats or mice or snails (albeit I cannot understand why this nation regards snails as a nuisance too), the local council is to be informed and that place is closed for the public until further notice while the problem is tackled. The government can also plant repellent plants. In this way, these places will be made more beautiful and green. But no citizen and no local council member has the right to scatter poison in public places and public pots.
Ninth, a way for the ministry to assist all pet owners with a government animal clinic which operates twenty-four hours from Monday to Sunday where vet fees and service fees are affordable. It is no secret that private vet clinics are overcharging. Why a vet charges 15euro for a visit and 45euro for a blood test, while another vet charges 25euro for a visit and 70euro for a blood test, is beyond me. This is discouraging pet owners from adopting one or more pets, especially during these times with the high cost-of-living.
Last but not least, the ministry should also see to the welfare of all animals, including farm ones. It is not only about dogs and cats. Animals are all creations of God who feel like us but who have mastered something that we humans haven’t yet: unconditional love.
I hope that all those involved in representing this ministry, together with those working in it, truly love animals and have come to terms with the fact that they can make a difference for the world to become a better place for animals too. “Good people are those who love animals. Animals are special creatures, and anyone who has had the good fortune to have a relationship with them knows well. Animal nobility is a real teaching. Thanks to them, we are more modest, more empathetic, more affectionate people. They give us their love unconditionally, without asking for anything in return, they do us good.” [Keanu Reeves].