In an impassioned post to social media, the animal rights activist deplored the state of pet breeding – or, inbreeding, more often than not – in this country.

“We have siblings mate with siblings and then when we see problems developing, we throw them out.” She attributed this practice to the state’s failure to implement and properly enforce laws which could prevent improper breeding.

“People do whatever they want, and become rich on the backs of animals, all without even paying tax!”

Within the same post, Borg raged against the throwaway culture she perceives in Malta, one which extends beyond inanimate objects to the animals living alongside us.

“This country has become embarrassing when it comes to the way we treat animals. We’re going from bad to worse. People buy pets and throw them out like it’s nothing. People have learned that they can get a cat or a dog, and that by refusing to chip them, they can throw them out like a garbage bag at the first sign of annoying behaviour.”

Those who are in a position to adopt a pet may be able to ease this situation by doing so.

In the longer term, it is clear that preventing overburdened sanctuaries from becoming kill shelters will require government intervention and the enforcement of a regulatory framework which will end bad breeding practices, whilst making it impossible for pets not to be chipped.

Borg finished her post by tagging Abela along with a list of nine overwhelmed animal sanctuaries working to provide refuge for abandoned and mistreated animals in Malta and Gozo.

Do you think more needs to be done to safeguard Malta’s animals?