The animal welfare organizations of Cyprus participating in the relevant programs are suspending all new trapping, sterilization and reintegration (TNR) actions of stray cats, citing serious incidents of harassment, intimidation and attacks against volunteers.
In a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou and other competent bodies, the Cyprus Federation of Animal Welfare Organizations "Voice for the Animals of Cyprus" (CVA) and the partner organizations complain that volunteers participating in stray cat management programs are faced with systematic verbal and physical attacks, as well as obstruction of their work.
According to the letter, the situation worsened after a complaint made in February 2026 about the removal of cats from a supermarket in Latsia and the spread, as reported, of false claims of "cat theft". The organizations claim that since then the volunteers have been the target of unfounded accusations and attacks, without there being an effective investigation of the complaints or effective protection by the competent authorities.
As reported, incidents have recently been recorded in which volunteers were prevented from carrying out scheduled sterilizations of stray cats, while in one case volunteers were taken to a police station and forced to release five cats that had already been trapped for sterilization.
Animal welfare organizations emphasize that most TNR programs in Cyprus are implemented thanks to voluntary work and donations from citizens, with limited state support. At the same time, they note that the annual state sponsorship of €100,000 is considered insufficient in relation to the management needs of the large population of stray cats, while they argue that the sponsorship for 2026 has not yet been paid.
In their letter, they ask for the immediate establishment of an official authorization or special identity card for the volunteers participating in the TNR programs or, alternatively, the granting of relevant authority to the Federation to issue the necessary authorizations. At the same time, they request that these authorizations be recognized by the Police, the Municipalities and the Community Authorities, as well as the issuance of clear instructions to the members of the Police to prevent incidents of obstruction or intimidation of volunteers.
The organizations warn that until substantial protection measures are taken, they are suspending any new TNR action and new rescues of animals that are not already in their care. As they report, this development may lead to a further increase in the population of stray cats, a burden on local authorities and negative effects on both public health and animal welfare.
The letter is signed by the president of the Federation, Mary Anastasi, as well as by animal welfare organizations from all over Cyprus.
