Dogs Trust Malta recently wrapped up their three month campaign for free nationwide neutering and chipping with a surprise visit from featured rapper Hooligan at a local veterinary clinic. Hooligan signed posters and took pictures with visitors who happened to have their dogs booked for neutering with the same offer on that day.

Dogs Trust announced it has successfully neutered and micro-chipped 2,000 dogs during its New Year’s campaign.

The campaign offered free neutering and micro-chipping as a package to all owned dogs in Malta and Gozo as a measure to further control the abandoned and stray dog population.

The organisation said Hooligan’s contribution was pivotal to the campaign. He is a role model to many and often speaks out against drugs and violence and now also against irresponsible dog ownership. The song and video advert was a first for Dogs Trust Malta and could not have been possible without Hooligan himself, Elton Zarb from Freetime, together with volunteers and their dogs.

Many children in schools all over Malta instantly recognised the local personality in the video and enjoyed singing along to the catchy tune. Teachers were very supportive of the initiative and remarked that Hooligan’s tune is easy for kids to repeat and will certainly be remembered along with the message conveyed. 3,500 children in schools have received visits from Dogs Trust since January.

“I enjoyed doing it because I believe in the cause and would jump at the opportunity to do it again,” said Hooligan when asked to comment about his involvement in the campaign.

“Since its inception in 2009, Dogs Trust Malta has offered a sterling service to animal welfare. Through their intensive campaigns aimed towards increasing public awareness and education on dog welfare, Dogs Trust have been instrumental in working alongside other NGOs to reduce the number of stray dogs in Malta, ameliorating the welfare conditions of dogs,” said Joseph John Vella, Animal Welfare, Promotion and Services Director.

A large scale PR campaign was launched to create awareness through radio, TV and printed media promoting the offer. These were distributed to all homes, schools, vet clinics, pet shops, local councils and other establishments. They were also given out at events where the organisation was in attendance.

This success is shown in the overwhelming response received from the public. Veterinary clinics confirmed that a total of 2,000 dogs were brought in by their owners, bringing the total number of dog neuters by Dogs Trust to 12,000 since September 2009.

Dogs Trust thanks the public for their participation and encourages people on benefits, farmers and hunters to continue neutering and chipping their dogs for free as they will continue to benefit from this scheme throughout 2013.

More details can be obtained by contacting Dogs Trust Malta on 21 421 500 or 77711100 or office@dogstrustmalta.com.

Dogs Trust will shortly be launching a new and exciting campaign. Without giving much away the organisation says people can look forward to learning a great deal about dog behaviour and training.

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