Filenews 16 August 2022 - by Andria Demetriou
After the uproar that has recently arisen over the wildcat Berton, who eventually lost his life resulting in a strong reaction from animal lovers, the Party for the Animals and the Ecologists' Movement, who went to protest outside the Legal Service last week, questions are understandably being raised about animal legislation and what is allowed and not in Cyprus.
According to the Veterinary Services, as far as pets are concerned, they can only enter Cyprus from specific points of entry. Animals belonging to species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora may enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus only through the International Airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Limassol and Larnaca.
The breeds of dogs, which are not allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, regardless of the country of origin are:
- Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
- Japanese Tosa or Tosa Inu
- Dogo Argentino or Argentinian Mastiff
- Fila Brasileiro or Brazilian Mastiff
Dogs and cats from Malaysia (Hersonissos) are prohibited from entering Cyprus unless accompanied by a health certificate from the Malaysian Veterinary Authorities confirming that the dog or cat:
(a) has not been in contact with pigs for at least 60 days prior to export;
(b) has not resided in holdings where during the previous 60 days cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed, and
(c) has undergone with a negative result a binding ELISA test for the detection of IgG carried out in a laboratory approved by the competent veterinary authorities for testing antibodies against Nipah disease viruses, in a blood sample taken within ten days of export.
The prohibition shall not apply to dogs and cats in transit, provided that such animals do not leave the international airport premises.
Cats from Australia are prohibited from entering Cyprus unless they are accompanied by a certificate from the Australian Veterinary Authorities confirming that the cats have not resided in farms, where during the last 60 days cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed.
The prohibition shall not apply to cats in transit, provided that such animals do not leave the area of the international airport.
It should be noted that the entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus of pet animals unvaccinated against the rabies virus is prohibited, regardless of the country of origin. The animal must have been vaccinated against the virus at the age of at least 12 weeks.
Regarding the other animal species, according to the Animal Protection and Welfare (Possession and Sale of Animals) Regulations of 2021, which were issued by the Council of Ministers and approved by the Parliament, those that are allowed to be held in Cyprus are the following:
It should be noted that we contacted the Veterinary Services, which clarified to us that there is no detailed list of existing animals that are prohibited in Cyprus as anything that is not included in the regulations of the relevant legislation, is not allowed to enter Cyprus.
