Local councils invited to register interest for animal first aid courses
The courses will help animal owners deal with emergencies such as heatstroke, choking and poisoning
The government has invited local councils to register interest in holding animal first aid training courses on council premises.
The expression of interest was announced by the Local Government and Animal Rights ministries on Friday.
In a statement announcing the initiative, the government said the project “aims to increase knowledge and basic skills related to animal first aid, while further promoting the proper protection of animals”.
The initiative will be led by the Local Government Division, with training to be provided by educators selected by the Animal Welfare Directorate. The courses are due to start in October.
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli said the initiative would mean that more animal owners would have the opportunity to learn skills that can save their animals’ lives.
Alicia Bugeja Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, highlighted emergencies such as heatstroke, choking or poisoning, “where immediate first aid can prevent the animal’s condition from worsening and even save its life”.
Local Government Division general director Emil Vassallo said local councils would provide resources, including council premises, to support the scheme.
Animal Welfare general director Dennis Sciberras explained that the courses would provide practical training on how to react in emergencies, including choking, CPR, wound care and cases of poisoning.