Filenews 19 April 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
A special plan to support Local Government Authorities (ATA) in developing appropriate regional temporary shelters for stray dogs has been in place since January 2022.
The project aims to financially support partnerships between Local Authorities, in order to develop regional temporary shelters for stray dogs in each district. For the implementation of the plan, the total expenditure was €1,500,000 for the period 2022-2024.
Because the plan was expiring and the money would be lost, the government came up with a new proposal at the end of 2023 and decided to implement President Christodoulides' pre-election commitment to create regional stray animal shelters and encourage cooperation between animal welfare organizations and Local Government Authorities. It decided on a new plan for the period 2024-2029, with a ceiling of €250,000 each year, in the hope that local authorities will be sensitized to the huge problem with abandoned dogs.
It is noted that the creation of appropriate temporary storage facilities for stray dogs is a need deriving from the Dogs Law and is linked to the Protection and Welfare of Animals (Protection of Dogs and Cats in Kennels, Hotels, Shelters and Temporary Keeping Premises) Regulations, which regulate the construction and operation of premises.
It is noted that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, for the purposes of the plan, included in the budget of the Veterinary Services for the years 2020 and 2021 an amount of €250,000 for each year and a corresponding amount for the programming of 2022, so that the total amount for three years amounts to €750,000. However, taking into account the recommendations of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, this total amount was deemed reasonable to increase to €500,000 and respectively to €1,500,000 for the three years.
The latest decision of the Council of Ministers approved the extension with the necessary amendments to the validity of the Scheme for the Support of Local Government Authorities for the Creation of Regional Temporary Breeding Establishments for Stray Dogs, covering the six-year period 2024-2029 with a total budget of € 1,500,000. The annual amount of €250.000, provided that this will be approved within the framework of the Veterinary Services budget, will be used in such a way that in order of priority the creation of five regional premises in the districts of free Cyprus and one regional refuge in the area of semi-mountainous and mountainous Nicosia will be subsidized, with a maximum ceiling per premises of €250.000 and provided that appropriate proposals are submitted.
If there is an unallocated amount within the year, it will be allocated for the purpose of completing the more mature projects that will be in progress, provided that the annual ceiling of €250,000 is respected and that in the six years the ceiling of €1,500,000 corresponding to the creation of the six regional refuges will not be exceeded.
The condition for participation in the project is defined as the minimum number of Local Government Authorities that should be included in the initial agreement and partnership, in five municipalities or in all the Local Authorities of the province in case the number of Local Authorities does not allow the application of this condition. The plan also covers cases of existing regional shelters for stray dogs, for the purpose of upgrading and expanding them and complying with the Regulations. The maximum number of animals that can be properly accommodated in the premises is set at 100 dogs.
Only in Nicosia does a homestead operate, the other districts in their world
In the buffer zone of Paliometocho operates a temporary detention area for stray dogs, a consortium of six municipalities of Greater Nicosia (Nicosia, Lakatamia, Strovolos, Agios Dometios, Engomi and Aglantzia) which needs expansion and upgrading in order to be licensed. The existing one has a town planning and building permit. After years state land was given adjacent to the existing site for expansion. Plans have come out and are currently in the bidding stage. The shelter "SIMBA", which is housed in the Temporary Storage Area for Stray Dogs in Paliometocho, hosts 120 dogs of various breeds, while the facilities are built for 60. However, a large area, namely Solia, remains without proper detention for stray dogs.
For Dali, a private shelter was set up on land granted by the Municipality of Dali, which has planning permission but not building due to the fact that the municipality has not yet taken care of it. The organization, although it wants to cooperate with neighbouring communities, due to the large number of abandoned dogs cannot respond, so a large area is not covered by a suitable place of detention for stray dogs.
The Municipality of Agios Athanasios submitted an application on behalf of the consortium of municipalities of Greater Limassol to the Planning Authority on 15/5/23. The land located in Armenochori has been granted for years, but the process has not yet progressed.
Larnaka Municipality confirmed that there is interest in creating a regional shelter for stray dogs on state land that was granted and which is located in the community of Klavdia. Securing a passage is pending, which is a prerequisite for them to be able to proceed.
The Municipality of Pafos coordinates the actions and makes efforts to lease them state land in Acheleia, since for their previous choice in the area of Agia Varvara – Anarita negative views were expressed by various bodies. This regional shelter for stray dogs will cover the needs of the entire district of Pafos (municipalities and communities). It is noted that they also have the plans ready and so once the land is secured they will be able to submit the application for permit.
In Famagusta district, no Local Authority has suitable detention facilities for stray animals. In the area operates a private shelter with approved specifications. A proposal was made by the organization to give it free of charge to Local Authorities to make it regional conditional (not euthanasia). The matter has not yet been discussed.
