‘Government has ulterior motives regarding animal welfare centre’

The animal welfare centre in Ta' Qali

PN has expressed its concern about the government's intention to conduct a customer survey review into St Francis Animal Welfare Centre, claiming it had "ulterior motives" after parliamentary secretary for animal welfare Roderick Galdes said results would be kept under wraps.

"PN understands that if the government is trying to cut down on expenses of stray animals, this will mean stray animals will be killed," it said, adding that €80,000 went toward medicines and other expenses related to the 3,000 or so stray animals brought into the centre each year. The veterinary service is free of charge, according to a contract signed between the government and the operator following a public call.

The previous administration had tried to get animal welfare NGOs to join forces and operate the centre as one organisation. When this didn't happen, the government issued a public call which resulted in the signing of the current agreement.

"If the operator - effectively a government contractor - is not breaking any of the contract's conditions, then the behaviour of this government administration is irresponsible. If the operator is breaking any clause in the contract, then a meeting must be held in order to sort out the problem."

This statement followed Roderick Galdes' explanation, yesterday morning, about the reasons for the review of the animal centre.

He said when the project was first launched in 2010, former minister George Pullicino had said services to the centre would be provided free of charge. Galdes argued this was not the case as the Animal Welfare Department was spending €80,000 each year on strays treated at the centre.

He also said that although charges to pet owners and NGOs were meant to be affordable, he had received complaints of prices being too high.

Galdes said the government wanted to ensure these problems were tackled head on.

The parliamentary secretary said the review would be held over the phone by a private company, with a sample of 500 people, and would also allow the public the opportunity to express their comment online and through emails.

He said meetings had been held with NGOs, and it was clear the prices being charged for services at the centre were too high. He said the government wanted St Francis Centre to be affordable, and added it was unheard of in a democratic society for an attempt to be made to stop this review.

Galdes said the 10-year contract for the animal welfare centre had been signed by the previous administration in 2010 without including fixed prices. He said an agreement for fixed fees could be reached with the operator following the review, but stressed the point that the government's role was to make sure the centre's services were affordable.

More from Staff Reporter

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My dear Galdes can't you see why the PN is defending the operator. Who made the agreement with the operator? why was such an agreement signed? have the consumers, that is, us the public been consulted about such an agreement? has the centre been offering the service it ought to have offered? I would never take my dog to the Centre as long as it is under this operator. The amount of complaints I have heard from previous clients is phenomenal. So the new Government is right to protect the interests of the law abiding citizen. The PN is back to their old ways of corrupt practices, and cover ups for corrupt practices in all the statements they are making - the same old arrogant lot.

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When will these guys stop whining and actually start coming up with new proposals, emphasis on new.

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Il-PN issa sar partit tar-rimettar. kemm se jdumu jeqirdu u jdardru n-nies bil-kummenti banali?!

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If the previous contract was signed by GonziPN as near as 2010, then something must be wrong. Very few things that were done during the past administration were transparent enough. Go ahead minister Galdes. The present government is, so far, credible.

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THIS IS THE TYPE OF 'WORK' OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY SAN FRANGISK. PROFITS AR MADE THIS WAY. POST OF RECEPTIONIST. Dear Sir/Madam, We thank you for your CV and letter of application. We are pleased that you have shown an interest to work as a full time receptionist with our organization at Centru San Frangisk Animal Hospital in Ta' Qali. We would like to invite you for an interview on……………... A general interview session will be held for prospective employees during which time all questions will be answered. Short listing will take place during this session and a more in-depth interview will be conducted on an individual basis should you be chosen. If you are unable to attend the …………. morning session please feel free to attend the …….afternoon one. Please note that no other sessions will be held unfortunately at this stage. In order to help you make the right decision we are going to give you some important information regarding the conditions of work, prior to the interview session. Do not reply to this email as this is automatically generated and you will not receive an answer. Please ask your questions during the interview. For the interview you are expected to take with you a CV and a passport size photo and to be punctual. The interview will start punctually and last about an hour. Tasks: Reception duties include but not only: recording of appointments, answering the phone, directing queries to the right department, discharging pets, making invoices, tallying cash at the end of day, customer care, keeping the reception clean and the floors of the reception free from any accidents that might happen by the pets coming in to the hospital, filing, keying in information, and other paper work. A job description will be given on signing of contract. Skills: Computer literate, fluency in written and spoken Maltese and English, able to work as a team member, outgoing personality, fast learner, hard-working, dedication to animals and animal lover Experience: Not necessary but if present it will be considered an asset. Training will be giving and consists of an induction course of 10 hours as well as an observation period of 80 hours. No REMUNERATION WILL BE GIVEN DURING THIS PERIOD OF OBSERVATION. Wages: First two months on minimum wage and thereafter at 4.78 euro/hour gross Working Hours: 40 hours per week (plus breaks) split over 6 days. Our shifts are from 7am to 1pm (morning); from 1pm to 5pm (afternoon); from 5pm to 11 pm (evening); and from 11pm to 7 am (night). For example a week could consist of 2 night shifts, 2 morning shifts and 2 evening shifts. Car: Not compulsory but it will be easier for the employee to arrive to work if he/she has a car Other conditions: according to the laws of Malta I thank you for your interest in working with us. We hope that the above will guide your decision and wish you luck in the future. Kindest regards, Louann Sammut

‘Government has ulterior motives regarding animal welfare centre’ – PN

PN expresses concern about St Francis customer survey review.