Hey everyone,
Pets are an integral part of a lot of families. So much so that they would never consider moving abroad without them. Before doing so, it would be important to know the pet culture in Malta just to make sure that their little “expets” feel welcomed in their new homes. Would you give our expats-to-be an insight of what it is like to have a pet in Malta by answering the following questions?
What part do pets play in society in Malta? Are they generally accepted in rentals and public spaces more generally?
Is it common for families to have pets?
What animal is the most often kept as pets? Are there some animals that cannot be kept as pets? Do some animals have specific significations when kept as pets?
How about the infrastructure needed to cater for pets? Can you find everything you need for your pet in terms of pet food, veterinary services, accessories, pet grooming etc...?
Do people generally spend a lot of money on their pets?
Please share your experience,
Priscilla
The pet culture in Malta
Having a dog or cat is very popular with locals and expats, unfortunately a lot of the locals do not take their dogs out for walks they leave them on their roofs often resulting in endless barking, also when they are taken out they are allowed to mess on the pavements which is not picked up.
You'll also find dogs, cats, horses and everything else locked in garages without windows. Not a place for people with strong animal right views.
Not all though, you'll find lots of dogs in the parks and walking areas, dog walking groups, most supermarkets sell anything you want and the 24/7 animal hospital is great. Vets do home visits etc.
Be sure to be aware of the sand fly that is fatal to dogs. Sandy beaches are not open to dogs rocky ones are.
Ah and if you're looking to buy a pet here, find the vet that specialise in the particular breed and have them recommend a breeder and then be patient till you get one from that breeder.
Discussions with vets will surface all the unspeakable thing people do to get a quick buck, join user groups too and ask for recommendations.
We moved here with our cat twice - 2013 and 2018 - both times it was not easy to get an apartment. But after a bit of research we were successful. Our actual landlord has 6 Siamese himself - and our is a Siamese so "she" was the key to get it.
I spoke with a couple of landlords why the don't accept pets - especially cats and dogs.. Main problem is that a lot of pet owners need to work at Malta and leave there pets alone in the apartment. Often times the whole day. Some dogs pee and sh.. in the apartment because they have no other choice or they bark the whole day and drive other people nuts. Some cats scratch everything to pieces because they are bored. I heard a lot of reasons - some are understandable - some not that much...
We do have a cat, she is not scratching anything, we had to pay a higher deposit, because the landlord didn't trust 100% our words. But we got it back in full - she never touched anything.
I think pets and their behaviour are different, if you find the right landlord it is really nice to live here. If you pet is not destroying anything and clean and quiet, it is possible to live in peace here.
This is my personal experience
My Maltese friend has two dogs. She suggests not buying a dog from a breeder but adopting. There is a big problem of inbreeding in Malta, which causes dogs to have a lot of the same illnesses. Purely greed. Always look at the local shelters
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