Press

March 2011

DOGS TRUST MALTA WELCOMES NEW MICROCHIPPING LEGISLATION

Dogs Trust Malta today welcomed plans for all dogs in Malta to be microchipped by law.

The charity launched a nationwide neutering, microchipping and education initiative with SPCA Malta in 2009.The partnership has already changed the lives of thousands of dogs in Malta and Gozo by helping owners pay for veterinary treatments and offering free neutering and microchipping for dogs belonging to people receiving social government benefits, farmers, hunters and factory dog owners.

Sarah De Cesare, Dogs Trust Malta Campaigns Manager, says:

“We’re delighted that microchipping has been recognised as a vital part of being a responsible dog owner. By permanently linking a dog to its owner the authorities will be able to swiftly return lost or stolen dogs to their rightful owners and hold neglectful owners accountable for their actions.

However it should also be pointed out that a microchip is only as useful as the information assigned to it on the national database. It’s important to keep your contact details up to date on the database if you move house or change telephone number.”

Dogs Trust Malta offers free neutering and microchipping for all dogs in Malta and Gozo whose owners receive benefits, as well as for all farm, factory and hunters’ dogs.

The charity also runs regular roadshows across the island, where for two weeks all dogs in the local area can receive free neutering vouchers, a health check and microchip.

For more information about Dogs Trust Malta’s dog neutering and microchipping offer please contact the campaigns team on 777 111 00 or 7979 0333, or email office@dogstrustmalta.com. Dogs Trust works hand in hand with the SPCA Malta and is supported by the Malta Veterinary Association and Happy Paws Clinic. Further information about the charity’s partnership with SPCA Malta can be found at www.dogstrustmalta.com.

Notes to editors

  • Dogs Trust Malta was launched in 2009 and works together with SPCA on a nationwide neutering and education strategy to reduce the number of stray and unwanted dogs across Malta and improve the status of companion animals on the islands
  • Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for 16,000 abandoned and unwanted dogs a year through its network of 17 rehoming centres. For more information visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

For more information, interviews or images contact:

Sarah De Cesare – Campaigns Manager – sarah.decesare@dogstrustmalta.com -  9897 2222

Krystyna McGrath – Press Officer – krystyna.mcgrath@dogstrust.org.uk – +44 207 833 761

===

campaigns-poster

September 2009

DOGS TRUST LAUNCHES NEUTERING PILOT SCHEME IN MALTA

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, working with SPCA Malta has developed a twofold neutering and education strategy to reduce the number of stray and unwanted dogs, and improve the status of companion animals on the islands.

Starting on the 1st of September, a means-tested pilot scheme was launched in Valletta and a free neutering and microchipping programme in selected target areas will shortly follow. The subsidised neutering and microchipping procedure costs owners receiving means-tested benefits only €25, a 75% discount on the usual average fee of €100.

The charity is emphasising to owners the importance of neutering their pets. While the procedure clearly will decrease the number of unwanted litters of puppies, there are also proven health benefits to the animal as neutering prevents certain cancers and can reduce negative behaviours. Those eligible to take part in this initiative can call Dogs Trust directly on 21 421140 or 777 111 00 for details.

Shortly following this project’s launch, the initiative will then be set to roll out to the rest of the country bit by bit. Dogs Trust’s campaign will target all unneutered owned dogs in Malta. They aim to have neutered an estimated 35,000 pet and ‘latch key’ dogs after five years

Using an annual budget of €150,000 and a best practice blueprint from the charity’s international neutering projects in Romania and Ireland, Dogs Trust is introducing a population control programme to reduce the number of stray dogs and prevent unwanted litters of puppies. Dogs Trust has employed full time Campaigns Manager, Sarah De Cesare to oversee the project at ground level.

The charity has employed a local, full-time, bilingual, education officer who will conduct free school workshops for 7 – 9 year olds. This will play an essential role in teaching the next generation of pet owners the need to respect animals. Within the first year of the programme Irene Micallef will visit all 65 government, church and independent primary education establishments in Malta, reaching over 40,000 potential future pet owners.

The workshops will all be bilingual, curriculum-linked, funded entirely by Dogs Trust and certified by the Maltese Ministry of Education. Topics that will be covered include staying safe around pets, responsible pet ownership and learning about a pet’s needs.

Last year, the Animal Welfare, Promotion and Services Directorate launched a Neutering Campaign for 2009.

This year the tender was won by Blue Cross Veterinary Clinic. Registered NGO’s can have cats and dogs which are captured from the street micro chipped and neutered free of charge and provided with any necessary after care.

Supporting the neutering campaign, the Directorate encourages NGO’s to give priority to stray cats and dogs from the area around Valletta to compliment the scheme.

Those wishing to help with these projects or those seeking more information on both initiatives, are asked to contact either the Dogs Trust team on 21 421140 or the Animal Welfare Department on 21 225930.

===

Clarissa_and_Philip

June 2009

LARGEST EVER CHARITY INVESTMENT TO BEAT MALTA’S STRAY DOG PROBLEM

UK charity Dogs Trust and SPCA Malta launch joint programme

Two leading animal charities have joined forces today to launch a neutering and education campaign set to improve animal welfare across Malta.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, working with SPCA Malta has developed a twofold neutering and education strategy to reduce the number of stray and unwanted dogs, and improve the status of companion animals on the islands.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust CEO (pictured above with Chairman Philip Daubeny) explains:

“We hope that combining Dogs Trust’s experience of developing and managing international programmes with SPCA Malta’s local knowledge and expertise will lead to a long-lasting, significant reduction in the number of unwanted dogs in Malta.”

George Pullicino, Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs, adds:

“The Government welcomes Dogs Trust’s expertise in providing education, training, rehoming knowledge and veterinary support.

Their planned education workshops within primary schools will play an essential role in teaching the next generation of pet owners the need to respect animals. I urge teachers to take advantage of these free workshop and Dogs Trust resources.”

Neutering programme

Using an annual budget of €150,000 and a best practice blueprint from the charity’s international neutering projects in Romania and Ireland, Dogs Trust is introducing a population control programme to reduce the number of stray dogs and prevent unwanted litters of puppies.

The charity is emphasising to owners the importance of neutering their pets. While the procedure clearly will decrease the number of unwanted litters of puppies, there are also proven health benefits to the animal as neutering prevents certain cancers and can reduce negative behaviours.

Starting with a means-tested pilot scheme in Valletta and a free neutering programme in selected target areas, Dogs Trust’s campaign will target all unneutered owned dogs in Malta. They aim to have neutered an estimated 35,000 pet and ‘latch key’ dogs after five years. ‘Latch key’ dogs are pet dogs allowed to roam the streets unchecked from dawn until dusk, returning for food and shelter in the family home. The Government will oversee the neutering of Malta’s 3000 stray dogs.

Chris Saïd, Parliamentary Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister, underlined the importance of collaboration between local councils and voluntary organisations responsible for animal welfare:

“Local councils supporting the commendable work done by these charities within their localities will result in a diminution of abandoned animals and thus better lived-in localities.”

The subsidised neutering procedure will cost owners receiving means-tested benefits an average of €25, a 75% discount on the usual average fee of €100. Dogs Trust has employed full time campaign manager Sarah DeCesare to oversee the project at ground level, while SPCA Malta will coordinate a cat neutering programme.

Dogs Trust is in contact with vet practices on the island to offer local owners neutering, vaccinations, health checks and microchipping services for their dogs at a significantly reduced cost.

Education programme

In the next scholastic year (September 2009) Dogs Trust will begin the roll out of an extensive education programme promoting responsible pet ownership messages that will eventually reach all 7 – 9 year old primary school children in Malta.

The charity has employed a local, full-time, bilingual, education officer who will conduct free school workshops for 7 – 9 year olds. Within the first year of the programme Irene Micallef will visit all 65 government, church and independent primary education establishments in Malta, reaching over 40,000 potential future pet owners.

The workshops will all be bilingual, curriculum-linked, funded entirely by Dogs Trust and certified by the Maltese Ministry of Education. Topics that will be covered include staying safe around pets, responsible pet ownership and learning about a pet’s needs.

Primary school children are at an age where they are open and able to absorb new information, but are still young enough to form opinions and behaviours. Dogs Trust found with their UK education programme that the messages of responsible pet ownership then reach older generations through the children talking about the workshops at home.

Teachers or parents who would like to arrange a free workshop or find out more about the education programme should contact the Dogs Trust Malta office on 2142 1140 or email Irene Micallef.

After five years, once best practices have been established and the neutering and education programmes are operating successfully, Dogs Trust will pass the continued management across to SPCA Malta whilst continuing to provide advice and support from the UK.

Barbara Cassar Torregiani, President of SPCA Malta, added:

“I am delighted that these essential programmes are being established and everyone at SPCA Malta can’t wait to start working with the team at Dogs Trust. The neutering and education targets are justifiably ambitious, but also achievable and will deliver real benefits to both the animal and human populations of Malta.”