The issue of feeding stray cats in Cyprus has become a contentious topic, with conflicting interpretations of the law and disagreements between municipalities, animal welfare organisations, and citizens.
The Law Office has determined that feeding stray cats is only permitted in designated locations assigned by municipalities for public health reasons.
However, many municipalities have yet to establish such feeding areas, leaving the responsibility to volunteers.
Volunteers who establish feeding and protection areas, conduct sterilisations, and provide veterinary care, try to control the cat population.
They warn that without their efforts, parks, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, public buildings, military camps, homes, cafeterias, and even roads could be overrun with cats and cat fatalities would be common.
The Federation of Animal Welfare Organisations of Cyprus, “Voice for Animals”, has contacted the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment regarding the actions announced by the Ministry in January 2023, following the Law Office’s opinion.
Mary Chrysochou-Anastasi, President of “Voice for Animals”, emphasised that Cyprus has a significant population of stray cats, primarily fed by volunteers. These cats often form colonies, many of which are cared for by volunteers who also conduct sterilisations.
While “Voice for Animals”, in January 2023, welcomed the Ministry’s clarification regarding stray cat feeding, it has since been revealed that a series of actions by the Police—aiming for a legal opinion from the Attorney General concerning the destruction of feeding sites for stray cats—led to the Police, as one of the authorities responsible for enforcing the Law on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, deciding not to investigate complaints about the destruction of feeding sites that were not designated or owned by the Local Authorities.
As a result, animals are left hungry, and citizens end up in disputes, with all the consequences this entails. This situation is particularly disappointing for all animal welfare volunteers, both organised and independent.
Furthermore, “Voice for Animals” believes that the Veterinary Services, as the authority responsible for Animal Welfare and Protection, should have immediately contacted the Police upon receiving their letter (rather than an internal directive) to have it withdrawn, as it did not safeguard the welfare of the animals and was contrary to the spirit of the Law.
Instead, according to Chrysochou-Anastasi, this has worsened the situation.
According to complaints from animal welfare organisations, citizens who dislike animals have, in many cases, already proceeded with destroying feeding and drinking stations for cats, with the Police remaining indifferent and, in some instances, even recommending the removal of feeding sites for stray cats, without considering the consequences for the animals’ welfare.
“Unfortunately, more than 19 months (as of 29/1/2023) after your announcement, we realise that your Ministry has yet to reach an agreement with the Attorney General’s Office to resolve the problem, resulting in the Police following the Attorney General’s legal opinion.”
“We fail to understand how a legal opinion can change the law, especially when it contradicts the very spirit of the Law, which is supposed to protect animal welfare!” states a letter from “Voice for Animals”, dated 26/8/2024, to Minister Maria Panayiotou.
Animal welfare organisations, observing the lack of resolution to the problem, are calling on the Minister to consult with all relevant parties to withdraw what they consider to be a flawed legal opinion and the Veterinary Services directive.
“In conclusion, the Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Agriculture need to ask themselves what the ultimate goal is. Are they intending to let citizens leave animals hungry and thirsty? Unless Local Authorities create feeding stations for animals in every corner of Cyprus—a measure that has not been implemented to date and seems unlikely to be implemented in the future.”
“Except for a few Local Authorities (in collaboration with animal welfare organisations), most are indifferent. The cost of feeding, which amounts to thousands of euros each year, is borne by compassionate citizens.”
“This is in addition to the cost of neutering cats, as the €100,000 allocated by the state for the neutering of stray cats is a drop in the ocean, and no solution has yet been found to the problem. If nothing else, let’s at least be humane in this country, so we can finally shake off the stigma that we are a barbaric people. Now and under the law!” concludes Chrysochou-Anastasi.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment previously stated that it does not support the destruction or removal of containers placed for feeding stray animals.
They emphasised the importance of comprehensive sterilisation programmes to address cat overpopulation and called for cooperation among all stakeholders.
