Filenews 27 August 2025
On August 6, the consortium of the Municipalities of Nicosia, Strovolos and Lakatamia submitted a request to the Veterinary Services for state funding, in order to proceed with the upgrade and expansion of the animal shelter in Paliometocho. This is the first mature project to claim part of the €1.5 million funding, which has been allocated since 2021 for local authority projects related to animal welfare.
The deputy director of Veterinary Services, Yiannis Ioannou, said that the shelter in Paliometocho is the only one that has a planning permit, which allows it to apply for an operating permit and funding. An application from Limassol Municipalities that had been rejected due to incomplete data is excluded.
The Veterinary Services will set up a three-member committee for an on-site visit to the shelter, with the basic condition that the infrastructure meets legal standards and can accommodate at least 100 animals.
The project in two phases
The technical engineer of the Municipality of Strovolos, Ira Tselepou, who has been appointed coordinator of the project, said that the works are divided into two phases. The first phase, which is already underway and will be completed by October 31, 2025, includes improvement works in indoor and outdoor areas, new fencing and the creation of an animal relaxation area.
Due to issues with the United Nations, as the shelter is located within the buffer zone, work was temporarily suspended, but continues after all permits have been secured. Meanwhile, the animals are housed in an animal hotel.
The second phase includes the expansion of the accommodation areas, with the construction of 28 new cages. The shelter, which currently serves three municipalities, can accommodate 60-70 animals, with frequent overpopulation problems.
Checks at animal shelters
At the same time, the process of checks in animal shelters by the Veterinary Services is in progress, following the directive of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panagiotou. The aim is to end the operation of those shelters that are profit-making and do not have a license.
As Mr. Ioannou said, the checks have been completed in some provinces, while the final results are expected from all over Cyprus. For the non-profit shelters, which assist in the work of local authorities in the management of strays, a different approach will be followed.
