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If you've ever left food out for a neighborhood cat, adopted a stray kitten, or watched a colony of cats gather outside a café or apartment block, you'll know just how much a part of everyday life cats are in Cyprus.
Now, officials are looking at ways to better manage the island's stray cat population, with a proposal that could see sterilized stray cats fitted with microchips and entered into a digital tracking system.
The idea was discussed this week during a meeting between the Environment Commissioner’s Office, government departments, veterinary authorities, the Animal Police, and animal welfare organizations.
At the heart of the discussion was a simple question: How can Cyprus better keep track of the thousands of stray cats that are sterilized every year?
More than 2,000 cats sterilised each year
According to figures presented at the meeting, around 2,200 stray cats are sterilized annually through the nationwide sterilization program.
The program relies heavily on volunteers and animal welfare groups, many of whom spend countless hours trapping cats, taking them for treatment, caring for them, and then returning them to their territory.
But once the cats are released, there is often no easy way to identify them or know whether they have already been sterilized.
Officials say that can make it harder to monitor the program and avoid duplicate work.
A microchip and a digital record
To tackle the problem, Environment and Animal Welfare Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou proposed that cats sterilized through the program also receive a microchip.
The information could then be recorded on a digital platform designed to track actions involving stray animals.
Supporters say the move would help authorities and volunteers know which cats have already been treated and improve overall management of the stray population.
The proposal received a positive response from both government services and animal welfare organizations.
More support for volunteers
The meeting also highlighted the role played by volunteers, who carry out much of the day-to-day work involved in caring for stray cats across the island.
Discussions included ways to formally recognize and authorize volunteers involved in trap-neuter-return programs, as well as plans for training initiatives to help support their work.
Animal welfare organizations also backed proposals for increased funding for sterilization programs and the creation of a similar scheme for stray dogs.
A familiar issue for many Cypriots
The debate is one likely to resonate with many people across Cyprus, where stray cats are part of the landscape in almost every town and village.
For some, they're beloved members of the neighborhood. For others, growing stray populations can create concerns about welfare, health and overpopulation.
Officials say better tracking and coordination could help ensure that resources are used more effectively while improving the care and welfare of the animals themselves.
No final decision has been taken yet, but the proposal is expected to remain on the table as authorities continue discussions on how best to manage one of Cyprus' most visible animal welfare challenges.
