Veterinary clinics across Cyprus are providing free treatment and temporary shelter for animals injured or displaced by wildfires in Limassol.
The Veterinary Association said veterinary clinics “opened their doors from yesterday evening” and are accepting animals for treatment and temporary accommodation. Citizens and volunteers who locate “injured animals” in destroyed homes or streets in affected areas can transport them for care.
Participating veterinary clinics accepting animals from fire-affected areas have been posted “on the Cyprus Veterinary Association’s Facebook account.”
Hundreds of animals require assistance
Cyprus Veterinary Association President Demetris Epaminonda told Philenews the number of animals, mainly dogs, arriving at veterinary clinics in Limassol and nearby areas since yesterday evening “is large.”
This resulted from both “transport of injured animals” by their guardians or volunteers, and transport of animals requiring “temporary accommodation,” he said.
Information indicates “evacuation of two shelters” in affected areas, meaning hundreds of dogs need accommodation during this period.
Volunteer animal rescuers are conducting operations in affected areas attempting to rescue animals and transport them to safe locations.
No organisation for animals, says Environment Commissioner
Environment and Animal Welfare Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou described the situation as tragic, with human lives, property, homes and crops at risk, resulting in “no organisation for animals.”
Theodosiou said “more vigilance and mechanisms are needed” for protecting both humans and animals.
She contacted animal welfare advocates requesting they send announcements for her to forward on social media.
“This certainly does not help in rescuing animals, but all those in the fire area should provide food and water because animals which, if lucky, are free and can possibly escape the fire, will likely need both food and water,” she added.
Besides the Fire Service and Police, she contacted volunteer network Support CY, who indicated that due to fire reignition in Limassol, they might address animal rescues later tonight.
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