The St Francis Foundation for Animals has closed all form of communication in protest at the government for not waiving registration tax on two vehicles donated to the foundation in 2004 and 2007.
The vehicles were donated to be exclusively used as animal ambulances and animal rescue vehicles. The foundation said that Dr Mario Spiteri, director of the animal welfare department, had done all he could to help them commission the vehicles into service, as did the transport authority.
But the foundation said the finance ministry keeps refusing to waive the tax and is demanding €25,000 to release the vehicles, which have been garaged ever since they were donated to the SFFA.
“We have already informed the public we cannot rescue animals, but we are still being chased by police officers to have us rescue sick, injured and abandoned animals. We regret taking this decision but can no longer endure the spokes in the wheels from insensitive politicians,” a foundation spokesperson said.
“We didn’t ask for funds as all operations are funded from our personal pockets since we hardly get any donations into the SFFA bank account.”
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