“It is not an act of kindness to treat animals respectfully. It is an act of justice.”
Tom Regan, Animal Rights Philosopher
What we do…
Our Animal Welfare Outreach Officer assesses various reported cases and investigates where possible, with the intention to educate the public. We relay findings to the concerned authorities when the law is being violated. We coordinate and network with the Animal Welfare Department and other animal welfare NGOs both locally and internationally on projects relating to enforcement, humane population management, disease control and other animal welfare promotion interests. We regularly perform investigations, research, and proposals for new legislation to improve the situation of animal welfare and rights. We strongly believe in education and endeavour to reach people using multiple media and channels to do so, including in-person events and visits, TV, Radio and our social media pages.
What we lobby for…
Sustainable and Responsable Dog and Cat Breeding
Responsable and ethical breeding is necessary to provide continuity for keeping dogs and pure-bred cats as pets. However, we have concerns about the welfare problems created by irresponsible and indiscriminate breeding, such as one can expect from backyard breeders, kitten mills and puppy farms. The animals trapped in such systems, that serve only to exploit them for a quick return, are themselves suffering poor welfare from over-breeding, poor husbandry and crowding, while their offspring also have to contend with the life-long effects of poor environmental enrichment and poor socialisation. Many behavioural and emotional abnormalities can result from poor environments.
We strongly believe that responsable and ethical breeding of pets should involve
- not breeding animals with extreme characteristics that compromise their health and welfare,
- any genetic testing for breed-typical abnormalities that are available to avoid breeding carriers together,
- assess the temperament of both parents to ensure both are of sound temperament,
- make a realistic assessment of their breeds’ desirability in the market population,
- make strict conditions on the sale, including a return policy if the buyers fail to keep the animal for life.
Exaggerated characteristics in breed conformation are a life sentence of poor health for many animals. Flat noses (brachycephaly) cause problems with breathing, temperature regulation and eyesight; large heads with small hips lead to problems breeding and giving birth; small heads can cause painful neurological disorders such as syringomyelia. Breeds such as French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers, Pekinese, Cavalier King Charles, Boxers and Persian Cats should either be banned or bred selectively to remove such damaging traits.
We recently gave our comments on the Public Consultation on Legislation on Pet Grooming, Pet Sitting, Pet boarding and Dog Breeding (L-0016-2023) which you can access here – Review of consultation document for Pet Grooming, Pet Sitting, Pet boarding and Dog Breeding
Access to dog and cat neutering
While not all pets need to be neutered, widespread access to dog and cat neutering is still necessary to manage populations and prevent abandonment and other unnecessary suffering. We have received complaints about difficulties accessing neutering and have found similar difficulties ourselves. We are working hard to find solutions to address the increased costs of neutering, the shortage of available appointments and other barriers.
Dog parks
We advocate for accessible safe off-leash area for dogs to socialise and have fun in! Off-leash exercise and socialisation are unreplaceable activities in offering pet dogs interactions with other dogs. We review and send recommendations to local councils and central government on existing dog parks. We actively educate the public on good pet etiquette for public spaces including dog parks, so we can all enjoy shared spaces in peace.
Needs-based welfare assessment and staff-development for AWEU staff
We would like to see the 5 needs for good animal welfare given equal importance when animal neglect cases are investigated. Furthermore, we acknowledge each need requires knowledge on species to make valid assessments on each species’ needs. Suitably qualified staff, experienced handlers and a solid staff-development programme are therefore necessary to ensure the Animal Welfare Enforcement Unit is up to the task.
Reporting Abuse
We encourage you to report abuse and ill-treatment of animals to the Animal Welfare Department Enforcement Unit by email to animalwelfare.mafa@gov.mt or by calling 1717 from any local number or +356 7996 9918 if you are calling from a foreign number.
If you witness an animal being abused or mistreated through acts of harm such as physical abuse, your statement is expected to be necessary evidence for the investigation and you are therefore directed to make direct contact with the department yourself.
If you have witnessed animals kept in neglectful conditions and would like us to make the report on your behalf, kindly email press@maltaspca.org. with 1) the address or drop-pin link for the location of the animals, 2) photos or videos of the conditions as long as you have taken these legally from outside the property or from inside with the owner’s permission, 3) how long you have noticed these neglectful conditions, and 4) your and any other witness’s contact information so that we may follow up. We will keep your information confidential, unless you give us specific written consent to share your details.