For the second consecutive year, the Malta Animal Honors Awards will be organized on World Animal Day. This event which will be staged on October 4, will serve as an opportunity to celebrate animals as well as recognize those people who dedicate their lives to the protection of animals on a daily basis.
This activity is being organized by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights and by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights in collaboration with the Office of – Commissioner for Animal Protection.
In a news conference, Minister Anton Refalo noted that last year’s edition was successful and the government exposed the work of many volunteers while also recalling the love that animals have pet give to man. He claimed how important the work of each individual is in the field of animal protection and how these awards are just a small token of thanks for the valuable work of everyone.
The Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said said that “These awards are recognition for the valuable work done with great dedication by volunteers, veterinarians, educators, farmers, villagers, among others .”
She reiterated that “It is the responsibility of this government not only to reward this work, but to continue supporting this sector. All this is reflected by initiatives and projects that we currently have going on from the Directorate of Animal Protection”.
The Commissioner for Animal Protection Alison Bezzina said that “This year, although we will still recognize the positive of animals and the work of many through these awards, the activity of where the awards will be presented will be a symbolic one, an activity that will require very few resources. In this way the money can be used directly to help more animals and to improve the infrastructure of the Directorate of Animal Protection. In this way, we will still recognize the positive in the world of animals, continue to generate more social dialogue and raise more awareness on the situation of animals in our country”.
For this edition, over 450 nominations from the public came in. From these, three nominations from each category were chosen by an independent jury, with the aim of having the largest equal and broad representation of the sectors.
The public will have the opportunity to vote between the 25th of August and the following 8th of September on the site https://arblixi.gov.mt/en/honorsawards/Pages/home.aspx.
