Government Allocates €75,000 In Vet Service Funding To 13 Animal Sanctuaries
The Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, announced that for the seventh consecutive year, the government has launched the “Free Vet Services to Animal Sanctuaries” scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible animal sanctuaries.
She explained that this year, the Department for Animal Welfare received 13 applications for the scheme, all of which were eligible to benefit. “Once again, animal sanctuaries will be benefiting from this much-needed scheme. Thirteen sanctuaries will receive financial support amounting to around €75,000, because we recognise the good work that volunteers are doing and want to continue helping them. This is proof of a government that truly values the volunteer sector within the field of animal welfare,” said the Parliamentary Secretary.
Bugeja Said went on to explain that, in addition to this investment, another electoral pledge is being implemented, a scheme to help sanctuaries with maintenance assistance. “As a government, we appreciate the great work carried out by these volunteers, who do all this purely out of love for animals. We are committed to continuing to launch such schemes so we can keep providing support and aid to this sector,” concluded the Parliamentary Secretary.
The Director for Animal Welfare, Joseph John Vella, explained that the scheme received 13 applications from animal sanctuaries, and that licensed and eligible sanctuaries will benefit at rates of €45 per dog or cat and €180 per horse. Following the necessary verifications, the total investment for this year’s scheme is expected to exceed €75,000.
The 13 animal sanctuaries benefiting from the “Free Vet Services to Animal Sanctuaries” scheme are:
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Animal Care Malta
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Association for Abandoned Animals (AAA)
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Carers for Stray and Abandoned Felines (CSAF)
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Cats and Dogs Shelter
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Dreams of Horses
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Gozo SPCA
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Island Sanctuary Association
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Love for Strays
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MSPCA
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National Cat Society (Tomasina Cat Sanctuary)
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Noah’s Ark
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RMJ Horse Rescue
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Stray Animals Support Group (SASG)
Through initiatives like the “Free Vet Services to Animal Sanctuaries” scheme, the government continues to strengthen Malta’s animal welfare framework by recognising the vital role that volunteers and sanctuaries play in protecting and caring for animals in need. By providing consistent financial and logistical support, Malta reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that animal welfare remains a national priority grounded in compassion, collaboration and sustainability.