Filenews 1 March 2022
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has announced the 2021 Animal Welfare Awards.
The institution of state animal welfare awards, which has been established for the first time by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to honour the important work of individuals and organizations that promote the protection and welfare of animals in our country, while highlighting the important place that animals have in our lives. "Through this institution, we honour not only the laureates, but all our fellow citizens, who understand our duty towards the animals and make an effort to protect them," the Ministry said in a statement.
1) Award for outstanding animal rescue. It pains an individual, group of people or organism to rescue an animal in distress.
The prize is awarded to:
(a) Ms. Michelle Metziti for the rescue of the Dogs Chance and Miracle
The two dogs were found abandoned in a cage, in appalling conditions, sick and ossified. Ms. Metziti transferred them to a private veterinarian where they were diagnosed with leishmaniasis. One of the two was also diagnosed with renal failure. Mrs. Metziti undertook most of the costs of care and maintenance of the animals. The matter was reported to the police and the case was taken to Court (the owner was charged with a two-month suspended prison sentence). Chance unfortunately didn't make it, but Miracle did well and was promoted for adoption abroad.
(b) Volunteers of the StrayHaven Shelter (Nieske De Jong, Paula Fletcher, Mark John Phillips and Sam Taylor) to rescue her dog and puppies from sewer
Volunteers of the Stray Haven shelter in paphos district, spotted a dog with six puppies in a sewer, near a busy street. After many attempts they first managed to pick up four of the six puppies, and then the mother, while the remaining two had penetrated deep into the sewer. Due to the cramped space, to pick up the last two puppies, one of the volunteers was dragged into the sewer. All the puppies were treated and then sent for adoption to England. The mother was found to have shotguns in the abdomen and required increased care. Today she lives in Cyprus in a foster family that takes care of her.
2) Award for outstanding service or animal rescue. He is in pain of an animal which, by its actions, has helped to care for or rescue a human being.
The award is given to the detective dogs and their handlers of the K-9 Team of EMAK.
Team K-9 of EMAK has the mission of locating and rescuing persons from inaccessible or dangerous places. Valuable collaborators and assistants of this team, in carrying out its mission, are the detective dogs it has, which in adverse conditions, and often at the risk of their lives, offer their services for the rescue of people in distress. In August 2020, after the devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, members of the K-9 Team accompanied by detective dogs participated in a mission in search of stranded and/or injured persons. The degree of difficulty was very high, since throughout the research area there were scattered fertilizers as well as large quantities of medicines. There was also a risk from sharp surfaces and from explosions of insecticides that were under the debris. However, the excellent cooperation of the handlers with their dogs and the trust of the dogs towards their handlers, which was acquired through the continuous trainings, led to the avoidance of undesirable situations and carried out their mission.
3) Award for an exceptional animal shelter. He suffers in a private and a community shelter of animals, which provide excellent care to abandoned and stray animals.
The prize for private shelter is awarded to:
Stray Cat Shelter Malcolm Cat Protection Society
The Malcolm shelter was founded in the 1980s by Mr. Malcolm Stevenson, retired Major. It started in the Lady's Mile area in Limassol, initially as a simple feeding place for stray and abandoned cats and evolved into a remarkable refuge that can accommodate about 200 cats. The shelter was moved to its current location in Akrotiri in 2002. It has a medical facility, a food preparation area, and separate areas for small kittens, cats with special needs and maternity when required. A network of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to provide the shelter's cats with the best level of care. In Malcolm, every cat is vaccinated and properly treated with veterinary care, while a continuous effort is made to find suitable accommodation for cats.
The prize for community shelter is awarded to:
Unified - Shelter for the temporary guarding of dogs of the Municipalities of Nicosia, Strovolos, Aglantzia, Engomi, Agios Dometios and Lakatamia
The Municipalities of Greater Nicosia (Nicosia, Strovolos, Aglantzia, Engomi, Agios Dometios and Lakatamia) created this common shelter in 2009 for the safekeeping of stray dogs, in order to comply with the provisions of the Dogs Law. The site was inspected by the Veterinary Services and, on the basis of guidelines given, the Municipalities proceeded to the renovation and improvement of the shelter, which was completed in 2015. The new shelter began its operation on April 1, 2015 and to date has hosted 2566 dogs. The efforts made to give dogs for adoption, both inside and outside Cyprus, are continuous, so the largest number of them has been adopted. Today, 65 dogs are accommodated in this area.
4) Award for more animal-friendly farm. It is indulging in the case of a producer who emphasises the welfare of animals.
The prize is awarded to the owner of the free-range egg production farm, Mr. Glafkos Schiza.
The Farm of Mr. Glafkos Schiza is active in the production of free-range eggs and is located at the Philippos Farm in Evrychou. For the best possible treatment and welfare of poultry, the farm is planted with olive trees, pines, fig trees and vines and is sown with seasonal greens that are part of the daily diet of poultry that circulate freely over an area of 25 deciles.
5) Award for excellent enlightenment action for animals. It shall be addressed to a natural or legal person who owns, is an author or producer of an information medium which contributes systematically to the promotion of the protection and welfare of animals.
The award is given to the contributors of cyBC's tv informative show "Look me in the eyes". Executive Production: MediaboxLtd. Credits: Elmos Neocleous (director-producer), Yorgos Pittas (texts-narration), Tasos Archontidis (filming), Jean-Paul Sacy (Music).
The show "Look Me in the Eye" has consistently helped to promote the protection and welfare of animals over the last year. He has presented a variety of topics and has a great impact on the public. The show presents unique stories of people and animals, emphasizing the role and work of shelters, while at the same time highlighting the weaknesses of our society in relation to the protection of animals. Alongside the TV screenings, the show "Look me in the eyes" also maintains a Facebook page on which all the shows are also presented. In this way, it communicates directly with the audience.
The awards will be presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in a simple ceremony on March 31, 2022.
