Q1 – What shall I do if I come across a litter of stray new-born kittens.
a. Do not touch the kittens.
b. Allow some time to see if the mother cat returns to feed them.
c. If the mother cat does not turn up, pick up the kittens and check if their tummy is full to ensure that they are being fed.
d. Repeat the same procedure every six (6) to eight (8) hours to see if the mother cat returns.
e. However, if the eyes of the kittens have pus or the kittens look generally sick, call the Animal Welfare Ambulance on 1717 so that they will come and check them.
f. Should they need to be hospitalised, it would be ideal to find the mother cat too.
Q2 – A dog/cat has
been hit by a car. Whom shall I call for
assistance?
a. Call Animal Welfare on 1717 immediately and provide exact location and contact number.
b. Stop your car in a position that would prevent further hits and put on the hazard lights.
c. If you have any towel or cloth in the car, cover the animal leaving the head exposed.
Q3 – An animal is found dead on the spot. Whom shall I contact?
a. If the animal is a cat and it is extremely evident that the cat is dead, call the Cleansing Department on 1718.
b. If the animal is a dog, Call Animal Welfare Directorate (AWD) on 1717 so it will be checked for microchip.
c. Make sure that the dog is kept safe just in case it is immobile but not dead.
d. Have the dog checked for the presence of a microchip.
e. The Animal Welfare Directorate will come on site to check if the dog is microchipped or not, even though it is dead.
f. The Animal Welfare Directorate will then inform the owner of the dog about the outcome.
g. If the dog is not microchipped, the dog will be moved to a safe place where it will not be run over and if it is extremely evident that the dog is dead the Cleansing Department is called to collect the animal.
Q4 – A friendly dog is seen roaming about on a main road. How shall I proceed?
a. Try to approach him, perhaps by providing some food but do not chase him.
b. If you succeed, try to hold him in a safe place (if the dog is not showing any aggressive behaviour).
c. Call Animal Welfare on 1717.
d. Give exact location and contact number.
Q5 – My pet is very
sick. Can the Animal Welfare Directorate
assist?
a. Animal Welfare Ambulance caters only for stray animals.
b. For available vets for pets call 1182 (enquiries) or the emergency line on 52502000
Q6 – I found some sick
cats in my colony. As a registered feeder, whom
shall I call for assistance?
a. The Animal Welfare Directorate can provide you with a cat trap against a deposit that will be refunded when the cat trap is returned.
b. The Animal Welfare Directorate will help in the care of the cat and the veterinarian will decide if its condition can be treated or not.
Q7 – Animals being kept are in a poor state/abused or neglected. Whom shall I inform?
a. To report a poor welfare state or abuse of animals, you may call the Animal Welfare Directorate on 1717 or 22924132.
b. In such case, you may opt to give contact details to help the Animal Welfare Officers to identify the location or remain anonymous; or send an e-mail on animalwelfare.mafa@gov.mt
c. The details of person making the call are never made accessible to the offender.
Q8 – My neighbour’s
dog is constantly barking. To whom shall
I report the case?
a. The Animal Welfare Directorate will investigate all reports lodged. If the dog is well kept in an acceptable environment, then the case falls under the remit of the Police and a police report should be done at the nearest police station.
Q9 – My dog ran
away. How shall I proceed?
a. Immediately file a police report at the nearest police station.
b. In addition, you may either send an email with the description and/or photo of the dog, together with any other useful information and contact details or call 1717 and give the description of the dog, together with any other useful information and contact details.
c. It is important to microchip your dog/cat and keep your personal information on the microchip always updated.
Q10 - I can hear a kitten crying and is trapped in a car engine. What shall I do?
a. Leave a can of cat food near the car and stay away from the car so that the cat may come out on its own.
b. Put a large note on the windscreen of the car.
c. If possible, ask around to find the owner.
d. Call 1717.
e. Call the police to ask then to inform the owner of the vehicle.
Q11 - I can see an animal trapped in a quarry, or a high place and he cannot come down or come out. Who shall I inform?
a. Call 1717 immediately.
b. Give exact location and contact number.
c. Provide details of the situation so priority in high-risk cases can be given.
Q12 - If I need any information about one of the Animal Welfare Directorate schemes or Whom shall I contact?
a. Call 22924132 and ask for the officer-in-charge of Schemes.
Q 13. I would like to microchip and register my dog/cat transfer on new owner, how can I go about this?
a. Contact Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) on +356 22925232/22925345