Cyprus urged to act as animal welfare crisis deepens

Cyprus is at a breaking point when it comes to animal welfare, campaigners warn, as thousands of dogs continue to be abandoned each year despite laws meant to protect them.

The island’s Animal Protection and Welfare Law, passed back in 1994, was once seen as a landmark in fighting abuse and neglect. But three decades later, activists and vets say the system is failing, with poor enforcement, weak penalties and too many animals still suffering.

“The reality is not just neglect, it’s an ongoing crisis that requires political will and reform,” said Natasha Michaelidou, president of Simba Animal Aid. She estimates more than 250,000 dogs are abandoned every year in Cyprus, creating an overwhelming challenge for shelters already stretched to the limit.

The problem isn’t just the sheer numbers. Although the Animal Police were set up in 2021, reports of abuse have risen sharply, but convictions remain rare. Inconsistent enforcement and unclear responsibilities between authorities have left big gaps in the system.

On the occasion of World Animal Day, October 4, campaigners are urging lawmakers to strengthen the law and bring Cyprus in line with new EU standards on pet welfare. A reform bill now before Parliament aims to do just that, introducing mandatory microchipping, stricter rules on sterilization, tougher penalties for abandonment, and a ban on euthanizing healthy shelter dogs simply to reduce numbers.

Other changes being discussed include requiring dogs to live with their registered owners, ensuring full rights of access for guide dogs, and obliging vets to check for microchips before treating animals. These measures, activists argue, could help curb the cycle of abandonment while promoting responsible ownership.

The Cyprus Society for the Protection of Animals (CSPCA) has gone so far as to announce plans to refer the state to the Council of Europe over its failure to safeguard animal welfare.

But for campaigners like Michaelidou, laws alone are not enough. “We need real cooperation between the state, local authorities and citizens,” she said. “Changing the legislation is one step, but changing mentalities is just as important.”

Shelters across the island are already overwhelmed, and volunteers say they cannot keep up with the flow of abandoned dogs. With Parliament expected to revisit the issue in 2025, activists stress the time for political excuses has run out.

“Something needs to be done immediately,” Michaelidou said. “The situation is no longer manageable. This is about dignity, not only for animals, but for our society as a whole.”