1,000 lives in danger as animal welfare centre closes

THE ISLAND’S biggest animal shelter will be closing with immediate effect, putting the future of nearly 1,000 abandoned animals into doubt.

The Paphiakos and CCP Animal Welfare Charity has been operating in Paphos for the last 25 years. Spokesman Norman Thody, said the centre is filled to overflowing and receives very little assistance from relevant authorities.

“We simply have no more space to take in any more animals. There is also the major problem of the tip at Paphos Municipality closing down. This was the only place where we were able to dispose of dead animals.

“Due to the nature of an animal shelter, many of the animals which we take in are starving, sick, ill-treated and neglected. It is inevitable that many of them will die. So we now have the problem of where to dispose of these animals.

“Last year an animal incinerator was approved by the government, but the project never really got off the ground due to local opposition.

“Paphiakos receives no financial assistance from the government or from Paphos Municipality and up until now, has survived through voluntary contributions and fundraising efforts. It’s a hand-to-mouth existence.”

According to the latest statistics available, the charity rescues approximately 6,000 animals per year, with their vehicles covering 98,000 kilometres annually.

“Nobody will accept responsibility for stray and abandoned animals. We thought we knew what the law is regarding who is responsible, but the law seems to be mired in confusion,” he said.

“What we do know is that the local municipality is obliged to keep stray animals for 14 days and they are then put down if they’re not claimed.”

Asked what will happen to the animals currently at Paphiakos, Thody was not very optimistic about their fate.

“We currently have 300 dogs, 450 cats, 67 donkeys, 28 goats and 14 horses here at the shelter. We shall try to keep these animals for as long as possible in the hope of finding them new homes, but the reality of the situation means this is unlikely to happen.”