20 voluntary organisations, including the Gozo SPCA and Dreams of Horses – both based in Gozo – have been awarded the sum of €129,000 between them through the Animal Welfare Fund, with the aim of further improving the protection of animals on the Maltese Islands.

Beneficiaries include animal sanctuaries, associations promoting awareness of the responsibility of breeders and groups providing animal support services. These are: National Cat Society, St Paul’s Bay Charity, Love for Strays Malta, Stray Animals Support Group, Animal Care Malta, Island Sanctuary Association, Real Animal Rights, Association for Abandoned Animals, Felines Forever Association, Noah’s Ark Foundation, Carers for Stray and Abandoned Felines, Dreams of Horses, MSPCA, BirdLife Malta, Gozo SPCA, CLAWS, Sunshine Animal Sanctuary, Malta Rabbit Club, Cats and Dogs Shelter and Nature Trust – FEE Malta.

The Government said that “this is another sign of recognition for the contribution that these organisations are making in this sector, especially during a pandemic.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, explained that the aim of the Animal Welfare Fund is to, “support these organisations to carry out projects that have the potential to improve animal welfare and provide a platform from which to develop and foster closer cooperation between these organisations and the Directorate for Animal Welfare.”

He explained that, “beneficiaries of this fund range from horse rescue and farm animal rescue, to cat and dog sanctuaries as well as VOs who dedicate themselves to education on issues of animal protection in both Malta and Gozo.”

The Minister Volunteering Julia Farrugia Portelli explained that this scheme was also part of the electoral manifesto, where the government had committed itself to increasing financial aid through the Animal Welfare Fund to allow animal sanctuaries to invest in infrastructure and capital projects with a view to improving sanctuary facilities.

She added that voluntary organisations are the cornerstone of Maltese society and the government will continue to support them wherever necessary.

“Thanks to the government’s support during the pandemic, no voluntary organisation had to lose any of its employees, saving 5,500 jobs,” she said.

Permalink: €129,000 from Animal Welfare Fund to 20 VOs, including 2 in Gozo