Free emergency vet service between Gozo and Malta set to be introduced

A free emergency veterinary service to transport animals from Gozo to Malta is soon to be introduced, Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo has said.  

Speaking at Thursday's National Animal Conference, organised by Vuċi għall-Annimali, Refalo said the initiative would ensure equal access to urgent veterinary care for pet owners in Gozo.

The minister highlighted the success of the government veterinary clinic in Fgura, explaining that the new service would extend similar support to Gozitan residents.

“Due to this success, in the next few days we will be launching a new emergency service from Gozo to Malta, completely free, so pets and their owners will have equal access to emergency veterinary services.”

Refalo said the measure formed part of a long-term plan to strengthen the animal welfare sector, including improved infrastructure, stronger organisation and more modern legislation.

Further details about the service are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The conference brought together several public figures, including the Prime Minister’s wife, Lydia Abela, and Opposition leader Alex Borg, along with representatives from across the political spectrum and animal welfare organisations.

In her address, Abela spoke about developments in the sector, noting improvements in protection, enforcement and public awareness. She referred to measures such as the microchipping of dogs, the registration of owners and the introduction of higher fines and stricter penalties for animal abuse.

“Animals don’t speak, but they do feel. They give you loyalty and ask for nothing back. It says a lot about a people and a country with how they treat their animals,” she noted. 

She said more could still be done, however, without going into further detail, and pledged that she and her daughter, Giorgia Mae, would continue supporting those working in the best interests of animals.

Borg began by showing a photo of his family, including his dog Nina. He described the pet as a key member of the household and said he felt a responsibility to represent animals politically. 

He said that, if elected to government, the Nationalist Party would establish a dedicated ministry for animal protection. Currently, the minister responsible for animal rights also oversees agriculture and fisheries.

Borg also proposed the introduction of a “white list” or “positive list” to determine which animals are permitted in Malta, in a bid to curb abuse in the sector, a proposal that has long been advocated for by animal rights activists.

The Opposition Leader referred to the Nationalist Party’s opening of the animal hospital at Ta’ Qali, Ċentru San Franġisk, 15 years ago, noting that it has now been closed for more than 27 months.

“How much longer must we wait to have a properly functioning animal hospital?” he asked.

He also called for changes to the role of the Animal Welfare Directorate, arguing it should act solely as a regulator rather than both regulator and operator.

Borg's position was echoed by Darryl Grima, founder of Vuċi għall-Annimali, who said the state should focus on maintaining standards rather than directly operating services.

He also called for a “paradigm shift” in how animals are viewed, encouraging people to see themselves as guardians rather than owners.

Among those attending the conference were ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci, Animal Welfare Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said, the Opposition’s shadow minister for animal welfare, representatives from Momentum and several animal NGOs, as well as former Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina.

The current commissioner, Fleur Abela, did not attend, telling Times of Malta she chose not to participate due to an ongoing investigation involving the directorate, saying it was important to ensure impartiality.