Cyprus, long known as the “island of cats,” is struggling with an estimated one million felines roaming its streets – roughly one for every resident. Activists believe the actual number could be far higher, ekathimerini.com, has reported.
In late September, the parliamentary environment committee was told that the current sterilization program is insufficient to manage the growing population. “It’s a good program, but it needs to expand,” said Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou, noting that only 2,000 cats are sterilized annually on a €100,000 budget.
Marking World Animal Day on October 4, Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou announced that funding would triple to €300,000 a year – a move welcomed by animal advocates. Yet Parliamentary Environment Committee chair Charalambos Theopemptou warned, “There has to be a plan… We can’t just go ahead with sterilizations without having a plan.”
The island’s large cat population poses ecological risks and raises welfare concerns for thousands of strays scavenging for food. Cyprus’s bond with cats runs deep: a 9,500-year-old burial found by French archaeologists showed an early human-cat companionship, while legend says Saint Helen brought cats to combat snakes in the 4th century AD.
Experts blame unchecked breeding and ineffective coordination between state and local authorities. The Veterinary Services admit the program’s reach is “lesser than the real need.” Animal welfare groups argue that without involving conservationists skilled in trapping and neutering cats, extra funding will fall short.
Veterinary Association president Demetris Epaminondas believes the population could be controlled within four years through a unified national plan, greater public participation, and incentives for private clinics. “People will be more motivated to get cats neutered if we make it easier for them to do so,” he said.
Source: ekathimerini.com
