Study of strays in Malta and the way they are perceived by the Maltese society

Abstract

This dissertation's aim was to study the perception that the Maltese society had of the stray animal population in the Islands of Malta. The method of research that was chosen for this study, was in the form of a quantitative survey that was distributed in 3 central cities in Malta; Valletta, Sliema, as well as Birkirkara. The data from the survey was collected from 100 Maltese citizens. And through these surveys, results were found that most of the Maltese population seem to be very tolerant to the stray animals of Malta, however, they were aware of the fact that the Maltese Islands face an issue when it comes to the subject of the feral animal population, and they also show signs of concern as well as knowledge as to what solutions could be contributed to the Maltese society with regards to the control, or even the reduction of the feral animal populace that is existent in the Islands of Malta. Other results that were determined from this research project show that more education should be given to the citizens of Malta with regards to the stray animal and the diseases that can be contracted from it; and also, awareness should be increased further on the notion that a stray animal population can be a hinder to the industry of Tourism.