The Alma party has called for an immediate halt to the planned demolition and evacuation of the Paphos animal shelter, which provides care for over 2,000 abandoned and rescued animals.
In a statement issued today, the movement expressed “deep concern and sadness” over the decision for the demolition of the shelter, a space which “offers life, care and hope to hundreds of abandoned animals” for decades. Alma noted that despite the “huge work of the volunteers, who work tirelessly without any state support,” authorities secured a court order for evacuation and demolition.
The party warned that the state and local authorities have not offered any alternative solution for housing these animals. “If the execution of the decision proceeds, thousands of animals are in danger of finding themselves back on the street, without food, care or protection,” the statement read.
State indifference and legal gaps
Alma accused the state of “deep indifference” toward animal welfare, noting that instead of supporting shelters that cover the gap in public structures, the state leaves them “hanging in mid-air.”
The movement stated that the incident also highlights serious gaps in the legal framework governing animal welfare, as its provisions “cannot establish strong guarantees” for enforcing legislation, preventing animal abandonment, or securing and supporting accommodation structures for abandoned animals.
Alma has set out three immediate demands, starting with “the temporary suspension of the demolition or evacuation procedure of the shelter” until a permanent, suitable, and legal shelter is secured for the animals. The party also demands the creation of a state plan to support shelters and sterilisation programmes, as well as the “recognition and subsidisation of the work of volunteers” who have been replacing state responsibility for years.
The movement concluded that “the animals have no voice – let us be their voice,” and demanded a solution from the state, government, and local government.
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