Cyprus holds an unwelcome global record, with the highest number of stray animals, according to House Environment Committee chair and MP Charalambos Theopemptou.
“Many statistics show that we may actually be the number one country in the world in terms of stray cats relative to our population. The government allocates an amount which is not sufficient, around €100,000 for sterilisations. The cats outnumber the country’s human population, and with such sums and without any proper planning we are simply wasting money without achieving any results. This has been proven, since we have been doing the same thing for many years. They know it doesn’t work, yet they keep repeating it,” he added.
At Wednesday’s session, Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou called for the €100,000 state budget for cat neutering to be multiplied, stressing it is far too small.
She noted that her office has drawn up an action plan and that, according to calculations made in cooperation with animal welfare organisations, it would take a period of seven years to bring the cat population under control through mass sterilisations.
Eleni Loizidou, from the volunteer group “Cypriot Cats,” said only 2,000 cats are sterilised each year, while strays are estimated at around two million. She also proposed setting up dedicated neutering clinics.
According to available data, the island’s cat population exceeds one million, surpassing the number of human residents, while annual spending on pet food is estimated at €100 million.
Animal welfare groups stress that tackling the stray population is not only about numbers, but about ensuring dignity and proper care for each animal. With proper nutrition, plenty of fresh water and daily activity, a neutered cat can remain healthy, happy and full of life for many years to come. As every cat deserves.