A planned transfer of dogs from Malta to an Italian shelter has been formally halted following an official inspection in Naples, a decision that animal welfare advocates describe as a landmark moment for accountability – while also underscoring the need for deeper, systemic reform.
The intervention followed weeks of concern raised by activists and non-governmental organisations regarding a proposed relocation of dogs to Dogs Town SRL in Naples. In response, the Commissioner for the Humane Treatment of Animals, Fleur Abela, carried out an on-site inspection in Italy on 15th December.
The visit formed part of the Commissioner’s broader remit to ensure that cross-border animal welfare operations meet the highest legal and ethical standards. Abela was accompanied by the General Manager of the Maltese Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (MSPCA), Mary Cassar Torregiani.
While the Italian shelter’s management provided documentation related to permits and licences, the Commissioner’s Office concluded – acting with caution and in the best interests of animal welfare – that the planned transfer scheduled for Wednesday, 17th December 2025, should not proceed. A formal recommendation to that effect was immediately communicated to the Office of the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said.
The Parliamentary Secretary requested the cancellation of the transfer, which had been overseen by the Animal Welfare Directorate.
Animal advocacy group Vuċi għall-Annimali welcomed the confirmation that the transfer had been stopped, describing the day as a “red-letter moment” for animal welfare in Malta. The organisation stressed that its position had been consistent from the outset: that any relocation should only proceed after independent verification of the conditions in which animals would be placed.
According to the group, preparations had already been made for an on-site inspection in Italy, including booked flights and formal notification to the Directorate requesting access to Dogs Town SRL alongside Italian partners. From their perspective, the Commissioner’s findings validated long-standing calls for transparency and independent oversight.
However, Vuċi għall-Annimali cautioned against complacency. While acknowledging progress and what it termed “sound judgement,” the organisation argued that the episode highlights persistent structural weaknesses. Exceptional interventions, it said, cannot substitute for comprehensive and lasting reform that embeds transparency, accountability, and consistent protection of animals as standard practice.
The episode has therefore become both a success story and a warning. It shows that Malta’s animal welfare mechanisms can function effectively under scrutiny and public pressure – but also that safeguards too often rely on last-minute interventions rather than routine, enforceable standards.
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