Campaigns
In Malta, there are over 3,000 stray dogs and numerous stray cats roaming on the island and about 40,000 ‘latch key’ dogs are estimated to be on its streets. Unwanted litters of puppies and kittens are still being born every day.
A holistic approach?
Working alongside SPCA Malta, we will create and implement a range of extensive neutering and responsible pet ownership campaigns on the island to tackle the stray dog problem on many levels.
Our campaigns aim to create a greater sense of responsibility amongst pet owners and local authorities whilst giving practical support to owners and councils – thus ensuring that this sense of responsibility is turned into positive action to help to reduce the numbers of pets straying and being destroyed.
Our approach will be to offer a broad range of programmes to address the various aspects of the stray issue, focussing very much on attacking the stray dog problem in areas where it is most severe.
We are employing a full time Maltese/English speaking Campaigns Manager (CM), Sarah de Cesare (pictured) in Malta who will oversee project developments on the ground and undertake a huge amount of liaison with the local authorities, sanctuaries, vets and other organisations on the island to identify ‘hotspots’ and local needs and issues.
Our campaigns will target ‘owned dogs’ rather than stray animals – as irresponsible dog ownership is at the root of street animals issues – and these will be addressed initially in two main ways:
- A subsidised neutering campaign (funded by Dogs Trust) will be set up and promoted on the island – owners on means tested benefits will be able to take their dogs to any of the existing participating veterinary clinics and have them neutered at a fraction of the cost price. We have just launched a pilot programme in Valetta with a view to rolling it out to the whole island in the future. Click to enlarge our poster, right.
- A number of local “Free Neutering and Free Microchipping” campaigns - which will target small areas with a big stray problem. Pets will be booked in for neutering operation and a microchip for free (or a nominal fee) at one of the participating local vets, provided that the owners live in the selected area. Whenever possible, our Education Officers will at the same time visit schools in these areas with the greatest stray problems.
In time, we will organise and implement a comprehensive campaigns programme to help in a number of ways – for example:
- “Pets at Risk” neutering vouchers for ‘emergency’ cases that we are alerted to (e.g. by a council about a particular dog that is responsible for giving birth to, or siring, multiple litters).
- Microchips to local authorities at the bulk rate that we negotiate with our supplier. We can help train local authority staff to chip and help them organise their own chipping events. We will also encourage chipping at a local level. This will involve working with local authorities as well as organising our own micro-chipping events.
- Limited number of subsidised/free neutering vouchers at certain kennels for re-homed and reclaimed pets.
- Support (i.e. through our ‘Pets at Risk’ Vouchers) to social services and police where they have cases involving neglected dogs.
- Responsible pet ownership days to be held at strategic locations – preferably as part of council organised neighbourhood events. Our Campaigns and Education team will chip dogs and cats, arrange neuters and hand out responsible pet ownership advice/literature at these events.
- Training days for local authority staff. They are trained in a number of different subjects including dog handling, dog behaviour and breeding establishment inspection procedures.
- We will offer a broad range of services to local authorities – ranging from offering presentations to their council meetings to providing them with responsible pet ownership literature (at nominal cost) to distribute in their community. Our Campaigns Manager will prioritise those councils with the biggest problems.
You can contact the Campaigns team on: (mobile) 777 111 00.