Animal lovers in Malta are being encouraged to support a European Citizens’ Initiative calling for stronger protections for stray dogs, stray cats and animals living in shelters across Europe and beyond.The Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (MSPCA) is backing a European initiative calling for better animal welfare standards, including sterilisation, vaccination and veterinary care.The MSPCA has thrown its support behind the initiative, which aims to tackle animal suffering through more humane and sustainable approaches to animal welfare.The campaign is calling on the European Commission to consider stronger safeguards for vulnerable animals, including sterilisation and vaccination programmes, access to veterinary care, responsible population management and improved animal welfare education.“Every animal deserves protection, dignity and a chance at a better life,” the MSPCA said in a social media post encouraging people to sign the petition.The organisation stressed that long-term solutions are essential to preventing animal suffering, rather than simply responding to problems after they arise.The European Citizens’ Initiative, officially registered in February 2026, also seeks to further restrict the use of dogs and cats for scientific purposes, including animals taken from the streets or shelters.Another major aspect of the proposal concerns the EU’s relationship with countries outside the bloc.Organisers want animal welfare standards to become a condition for certain EU funding arrangements, trade benefits and international cooperation agreements.This would mean that countries benefiting from certain EU arrangements could be required to comply with minimum standards for protecting stray dogs and cats.The initiative also seeks stronger protections for animals in shelters, although the European Commission has clarified that its powers in this area are limited to shelters participating in the EU market for cats and dogs.The Commission has partially registered the initiative, allowing organisers to collect signatures for proposals that fall within the EU’s legal competences.For the initiative to qualify for formal consideration by the European Commission, organisers must collect at least one million valid signatures from EU citizens, including minimum thresholds in at least seven member states.Reaching that target would require the Commission to examine the proposals and issue a formal response, although it would not automatically lead to new legislation.According to figures published on 21st October, the initiative has so far attracted 9,712 signatures across the EU, including 13 from Malta.With the signature collection period remaining open until 13th March 2027, supporters still have several months to help the campaign gather momentum.The MSPCA is encouraging Maltese residents to play their part in supporting stronger animal welfare protections at European level.“Malta, let’s make our voices count,” the organisation said.Anyone eligible to support a European Citizens’ Initiative can sign the petition through the official EU website.Will you be adding your signature to support stronger protections for stray and shelter animals?•