A new scheme called the Animal Welfare Fund, with an investment of €85,000 from the Government, will provide financial assistance to sanctuaries and voluntary or non-governmental organizations that take care of animals.
This was announced during a news conference by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said.
Through the launch of the Animal Welfare Fund, an election promise is being fulfilled, where support will be given to those organizations and sanctuaries that provide services to animals, with the aim of creating more awareness about the importance of pets in the community and animal rights are more protected in our country.
Minister Anton Refalo stressed how through this scheme the Government continues to keep its word and fulfill another electoral promise. “What we are seeing today continues to build on the work we have already done in this area, with the recent ones being the reopening of the Animal Hospital where we even announced that from the next academic year it will we are starting the veterinary course in our country. This goes hand in hand with the work we have already carried out in the field of animal rights through a number of measures that have been carried out in the last weeks, months and years in order to continue to serve as a shoulder for the sector.”
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said explained that such schemes are very important because they offer support to sanctuaries and animal associations. “The Government is recognizing this work in favor of the proper protection and the rights of animals that the voluntary associations and the sanctuaries are carrying out. Without their work, we certainly cannot reach the number of animals we are currently reaching. This scheme will help these organizations and sanctuaries continue to offer the service they are providing, while relieving them of some of their costs.”
The Director of the Department for the Appropriate Treatment of Animals Joseph John Vella explained what are the criteria by which one can apply for these funds and how the funds will be distributed according to the three priorities, which are : education and information, medical expenses, and the allocation of animals.
