[WATCH] €40,000 animal welfare fund launched

The €40,000 fund will be distributed among NGOs and other organizations that safeguard animal rights. Video by Ray Attard

A new animal welfare fund was launched today by parliamentary secretary for animal rights Roderick Galdes. 

Speaking at the Ta' Qali petting farm, Galdes said the fund was promised in the government's electoral manifest as well as being a budgetary promise. 

The €40,000 fund will be distributed among NGOs and other organizations that safeguard animal rights. The fund will be used to improve animal shelters, cover veterinary expenses as well as food and transport, for animal rescue, and the spaying and neutering of strays. 

:The criteria and guidelines of the fund were decided after much deliberation and discussions to determine what were the most salient areas that needed funding and how to keep the guidelines as open to the needs of the various NGOs as possible.

A committee, including representatives of the government, the chairman of the council for animal welfare and a representative of the council for voluntary organizations, will determine how the fund will be allocated. 

NGOs welcomed the announcement, saying that they looked forward to the impact the fund will have on their ability to protect the interests of animals. Representatives from SPCA, Island Sanctuary and Animal Guardians Malta, among others, were present at the event, and they all agreed that the fund was a demonstration of the government's commitment and dedication to animal welfare.

Galdes also said that a Pakistani Businessman, Zia Noor had decided to show his support by donating some funds over and above the allocated sum, to the cause, and he encouraged any businesses that were willing to do so to follow suit.