1,728 stray animals received at Ta' Qali animal welfare centre

The €300,000 animal welfare centre in Ta’ Qali - criticised for the exorbitant prices its private vet charges – received a total of 1,728 stray animals by September 2011. The vast range of animals included dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, turtles, sheep and others.

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino revealed the information when replying to a parliamentary question put forward by Labour MP Gino Cauchi.

Pullicino said the costs involved were all related to medicinals, as the centre does not charge for veterinary services in cases of emergency. He however was neither able to answer from the where the Animal Welfare Directorate buys the food for animals it cares for, nor whether a contract for the supply of food was awarded through a tender or a direct order.

The answer is still being compiled and will be given in another session, Pullicino said.

Referring to the animal ambulance service, operated by the Directorate since January 2010, Pullicino said the service registered an increase in June 2010 after it was highly promoted in the media.

In a separate question, Cauchi asked why the San Frangisk centre was covered with harsh tiles and grouting which – he said - goes against all norms in all types of clinics.

Pullicino said that because of nature of the work and the environment needed for the animals, the standards specified for non-slip tiles, with low absorption, high chemical resistance and epoxy based grouting. This was agreed upon and accepted by the government veterinary officers.

The total cost of buying the tiles and putting it in place cost government some  €22,070.