Veterinary helpline, after hours clinic, open on Monday

A free veterinary emergency helpline and an after hours veterinary clinic will become available from Monday, government officials have announced. 

The hotline is aimed at helping owners determine whether their pet needs emergency services in the middle of the night or on weekends.

The Veterinary Clinic in Reggie Miller Square, Fgura, will provide emergency service care daily between 8pm and 8 am. It will also be open round the clock on  Sundays and public holidays. 

In cases of genuine emergencies, pet owners will have the vet consultation fee reimbursed by the government.

Permanent Secretary Sharlo Camilleri said the services are part of the government’s after-hours veterinary initiatives to provide pet owners peace of mind. 

Helpline to reduce unnecessary emergency visits

He told the media that the helpline 15322 will be the first point of contact for pet owners facing emergencies during the night, on Sundays, or on public holidays. Trained personnel will guide callers through an initial assessment to determine the urgency of the case. 

When required, callers may also be put in contact with a veterinarian for a telephone emergency consultation. 

If the situation does not require urgent care, callers will receive professional advice on how to handle the situation until their vet is available.

The system is meant to ensure that the clinic does not overflow with unnecessary cases, Camilleri said.

Details of the veterinary emergency services initiatives were provided by the Permanent Secretary Sharlo Camilleri. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

What is an emergency case?

The Fgura emergency clinic will handle situations where animals are facing immediate life or health risks, such as trauma, breathing difficulties, uncontrollable bleeding, complications during birth or collapse.

Non-emergency care, such as vaccinations, mild or stable conditions or elective procedures will not be provided by the emergency Fgura emergency clinic. Screening, diagnostics, and medications are also not included. 

Euthanasia will only be provided if the animal is suffering and unstable.

The after-hours emergency service is specifically for domestic animals, and pets should be microchipped and registered when applicable.

A helpline 1717 in cases of emergencies for stray animals, and an emergency service for farm animals, are already available.

Owners of primates, big cats, reptiles, and all other animals classified as dangerous will be prohibited from using the emergency services.

Free emergency consultation

Camilleri explained how the government will be providing financial support for genuine pet emergencies by removing the cost burden of the consultation fee. 

Inside one of the rooms in the Fgura emergency vet clinic. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

This service is nationwide and other licensed clinics across Malta and Gozo, can apply to join.

Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo during Sunday's conference. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Speaking during the press conference, Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo made it clear that the government does not want to "compete" with private vets, but to work with them.

"We recognise the impeccable and important work our vets carry out. What we are introducing is a service to ease pet owners' minds in the case of an emergency," Refalo explained.

The lack of emergency veterinary services has been a source of concern since August 2023, when the Ta’Qali Animal Hospital closed.

Nearly three years later, and the hospital is yet to open. 

In 2024, MCAST was awarded a concession to run the facility and use it for its Master’s Programme in Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) of Spain. 

In October 2025, Education Minister Clifton Grima said the hospital was to open its doors “in the coming weeks”.