Filenews 27 May 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
Illegality takes place in several animal keeping/hospitality areas that operate without permits while also presenting building and operational problems. Many do not even have a planning permit. Moreover, of the 26 shelters (21 dog shelters, 4 cat shelters and 1 dog and cat shelter) only, 3 were in the process of obtaining a building permit.
The Veterinary Services carry out checks with the intention of proceeding with the delivery of letters for the termination of the operation of those premises that operate for profit.
It is worth noting that out of the 39 premises that operated as hotels or dog and cat farms, only eight obtained a certificate of safeguarding welfare conditions.
The situation that prevails is reflected in the response of the Minister of Agriculture, Mrs. Maria Panagiotou, to a question by MP Charalambos Theopemptou.
Based on the data provided by the minister, the prevailing situation is as follows:
i. Out of the 21 Temporary Storage Areas for Stray Dogs throughout Cyprus, 20 did not have a building permit and a planning permit and one that had a planning permit and a building permit, was in the process of modifying its permits (additions). In addition to the licensing deficiencies, 8 of the 21 had additional construction and/or operational problems.
ii. Of the 39 premises, which operated as hotels or dog and cat farms, 5 dog hotels, 2 dog and cat hotels and 1 dog kennel, secured a certificate of assurance of welfare conditions. Of the remaining 31 premises, 26 did not have a building permit and a planning permit and 6 presented additional construction problems.
iii The operation of 26 shelters (21 dog shelters, 4 cat shelters and 1 dog and cat shelter) was recorded, of which 3 were in the process of obtaining a building permit. 23 did not have a building permit and a planning permit and 6 of the 26, in addition to the lack of licensing, presented additional construction problems. Given the above and due to the fact that the premises lacked the prerequisite urban planning permits and building permits, in order to secure the certificate required by the Veterinary Services, the vast majority of them could not secure a Certificate of Assurance of Welfare Conditions, says Mrs. Panagiotou.
The Minister informs Mr. Theopemptou, that from the beginning of April 2025, the Veterinary Services are conducting new checks and updating the above data, with the intention of proceeding with the delivery of letters for the termination of the operation of those premises that operate for profit. At the same time, they will proceed to impose strict conditions on the premises that operate as shelters and temporary storage areas for stray dogs and in any case still non-compliance, to impose the penalties provided by law."
According to the minister, in 2023, the Veterinary Services contacted the managers of the premises (farms, hotels and animal shelters) as well as recorded the situation, in order to demonstrate which of the premises that were operating before the entry into force of the basic Regulations (K.D.P. 359/2019) were compliant and/or entitled to make use of the derogation set by the Animal Protection and Welfare (Protection of Dogs and Cats) Farms, Hotels, Shelters and Temporary Storage Premises) (Amendment) Regulations of 2022 (K.D.P. 482/2022). That is, who could continue their operation until 15/11/2024, without holding, based on the relevant Regulations, the certificate required by the Veterinary Services.
