Filenews 6 December 2022
Although the sterilization budget has been increased from €65,000 to €100,000, cats are growing and multiplying in all districts, stresses the Party for the Animals of Cyprus, calling for a holistic solution to the problem from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in cooperation with local authorities, provincial animal welfare committees, animal welfare organizations and volunteers and rescuers.
"The Party for the Animals of Cyprus has been informed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment regarding the government's cat sterilization program. Apart from the fact that we welcomed from the beginning this initiative of the Ministry (and the relevant program) which is part of the Roadmap of animal welfare and protection, unfortunately while we see that the relevant budget has been increased from €65,000 to €100,000, cats are growing and multiplying in all provinces", it is stated in a relevant announcement.
"Animal welfare organizations, volunteers and rescuers have literally stepped foot and run every day to care for cats and cat colonies (without any financial support) but the problem remains big and is increasing dramatically. And only if we quote the relevant figures from this alone does it appear that the government programme is heading in another direction and with poor results.
In the 5 years (2017-2022) a total of €351,067 euros have been allocated. Total cats neutered 7,287, that is, on average each year 1457 cats were neutered.
These figures alone show us that while the budget is increasing, the distribution in relation to the number of cats being neutered is not compatible.
For this purpose, we should finally see a holistic solution to the problem and they will expect the Ministry in cooperation with the Local Authorities, the District Animal Welfare Committees, animal welfare organizations and volunteers and rescuers to proceed with the mapping on a pancyprian basis, in all areas with increased problems and population growth, and targeted now and if there are real records with the real numbers of the cat population to act accordingly and in a coordinated manner.
The Party for the Animals of Cyprus will be a helper and at the disposal of the Ministry for any help because we want everyone to win (win win situation)."
