Homeless and Hurting: The Dire Plight of Cyprus' Stray Cats and Dogs

The plight of homeless cats and dogs in Cyprus mirrors the urgent and dire situation in Greece. Despite the tireless efforts of many dedicated individuals and organizations striving to improve the lives of these stray animals, the crisis remains critical in Cyprus.  Even with help from kind people, cats and dogs are ill-equipped to survive on the streets.

For those who take the time to observe, the reality is stark and heartbreaking: these cats and dogs endure unimaginable suffering from hunger, starvation, dehydration, and widespread cruelty that is sickening and shocking. Without adequate shelter or veterinary care for their injuries and diseases, they experience immense pain and suffering. In addition, they lack the love and affection every animal deserves.

This distressing topic needs to be addressed if we are to change it. By raising awareness and garnering support, we can make a difference in the lives of these vulnerable animals.

Some of the main issues contributing to this horrendous situation are:

Overpopulation

• Stray Population: Cyprus has a grave number of stray cats and dogs, estimated to be 1.5 million cats and 10,000-20,000 dogs compared to 1.2 million people.

• Breeding: Uncontrolled breeding contributes to the overpopulation, exacerbating the issue.
  

Health and Safety

• Malnutrition and Disease: Many stray animals suffer from malnutrition, diseases, and parasites. They often lack access to proper food, clean water, and veterinary treatment.

• Injuries: Stray animals are frequently injured, either through accidents, fights with other animals, or abuse by humans.

Abuse and Neglect

• Cruelty: Incidences of severe animal cruelty, including poisoning, beating, shooting, deliberate starvation, torture, and abandonment are commonplace. Cats are considered to be vermin by many of the Cypriot inhabitants.

• Neglect: Many animals are neglected, left to fend for themselves without shelter or care.

Shelter and Rescue Efforts

• Limited Resources: Animal shelters and rescue organizations in Cyprus are constantly overwhelmed and underfunded. They struggle to provide adequate care and facilities for the large number of animals. Municipal shelters are often substandard, where neglect and cruelty are common.

• Volunteer Dependence: These organizations rely heavily on volunteers and donations to operate.

Adoption Challenges

• Low Adoption Rates: Adoption rates are relatively low, and many animals spend extended periods-often their whole lives-in shelters or on the streets.

• Public Awareness: There is an urgent need for increased public awareness and education about the importance of adopting rather than buying pets and the responsibilities of pet ownership. There is little media coverage of the true magnitude of suffering experienced by stray animals.

Legal and Governmental Support

• Legislation: While there are laws against animal cruelty, enforcement is often lacking. Penalties for abuse and neglect are not sufficiently stringent to discourage animal abuse.

• Government Involvement: Greater government support and funding are needed to help stray animals and to support rescue, rehabilitation, and a nationwide sterilization of cats and dogs. The current level of assistance from the government is woefully inadequate.

Community Involvement

• Feeding Programs: Some volunteers feed the stray animals, but they are in the minority.

• Fostering: Fostering programs are in place to provide temporary homes for animals in need, but again, they are in the minority.

• There is a pervasive cultural attitude of "leaving cats and dogs as God intended them to be" and not sterilizing them, which leads to uncontrolled breeding.

Please share this post on social media to help us spread our message and gather more support for our cause. Our voice is currently just a whisper, but with your help, it can become a deafening roar the government and people of Cyprus cannot ignore.

If you can, consider donating to help these poor animals. Any amount, no matter how small, is of vital importance and gratefully received on behalf of the stray cats and animals we assist. 100% of donations received go towards food, veterinary care, and medicines.

www.savegreekcatsanddogs.com/donate