Newsroom
Concern is mounting over a wave of cat disappearances outside a Nicosia supermarket, with activists warning that what looks like isolated incidents could point to organized activity.
“The way this extremely serious case has been handled so far is inadequate, and there have been no tangible results from police investigations,” the Cyprus Party for the Animals said in a statement.
Previous news reports say surveillance cameras captured a woman taking cats, placing them in cages, and loading them into her car. Authorities, including the island’s animal police, were reportedly investigating, though no public updates have emerged.
The party’s spokesperson said a personal investigation revealed “indications of possible organized activity related to the kidnapping of cats, either for exploitation or for export abroad, clues that cannot simply be ignored or downplayed.”
Activists are also criticizing authorities for using the lack of microchips as a reason not to pursue the cases. “Animals that are fed, sterilized, and cared for by volunteers are clearly under human responsibility,” the statement said. “The absence of electronic marking does not erase guardianship or the legal obligation to investigate possible offenses.”
Local residents say cats that have lived in the same spots for years are suddenly gone, often without a trace. The party is calling on authorities to step up efforts, warning that continued inaction could embolden those behind the disappearances and threaten other animals in the community.
As complaints multiply, the pressure is growing for a more coordinated response from police and municipal authorities, who have yet to comment publicly on the latest claims.
