Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri has launched the – Adopt a Pet allowance of €150 to those who adopt a dog or cat from animal sanctuaries.

Clint Camilleri said that this initiative will deliver another election manifesto pledge – assistance and encouragement to people who give a home to stray animals.

He said that many of these stray animals have been abandoned by the previous owner and consequently are now at an animal sanctuary or the Animal Welfare Section.

Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Clint Camilleri said that this measure will undoubtedly encourage individuals to adopt a pet rather than buy one, saving on the purchase price and ensuring that the animal has the home it deserves.

He emphasised that only people who adopt a pet from a licensed sanctuary will receive the once-only allowance of €150, after they fulfil certain conditions.

The allowance will only be given to the owner six months after the pet has been adopted and having made the necessary checks.

Parliamentary Secretary Camilleri concluded by saying that people with a record of animal cruelty will not eligible to benefit from this scheme

In addition, the Animal Welfare officers will be making unannounced visits to ensure that the animal is kept well and will have every right to make inspections on animals that are adopted through this scheme.

The inspections, authorised allowances and the neutering procedure will be kept in the database. Moreover, if the animal dies, a report must be made within 24 hours and it can not be removed before inspection by officials of the Animal Welfare Section and given clearance.

More information:

In order to benefit from the allowance certain criteria must be met, including:

• animals must be adopted from licensed sanctuaries with the Directorate of Veterinary Services; a person can only benefit from the allowance for one pet; • the person adopting must be at least 18-years old; under this scheme a maximum of 2 animals may be adopted at the same residence; • transfer of the microchip should be reported by the new owner to the Directorate of Veterinary Services within five days from the date of adoption; • Cats and dogs adopted over 4 months must be neutered. Animals younger than 4 months must be neutered after reaching 4 months. • The procedure of neutering should be reported in the system; • Payment shall be granted only after six months from when the animal is adopted and only after verifying that the animal is microchipped, • The new owner must be reported to the Directorate of Veterinary Services and ensure that the pet is neutered.

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