By Andrew Adamides
CYPRUS may have ratified EU conventions on animal cruelty in its rush for accession, but it still has a long way to go before it can actively implement effective anti-cruelty measures, a local animal rights activist said yesterday.
Roxanne Koudounaris, speaking to the Cyprus Mail on the occasion of today’s World Animal Day, said Cyprus had still not set up an infrastructure of animal shelters, nor had it banned the sale of poisons over the counter.
She also pointed to the lack of funding for privately-run groups as a major black mark for Cyprus.
“Frustrated citizens who’ve formed pressure groups have run out of steam because of the lack of funding. The Cyprus Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CySPCA) has had its government funding cut from £2,000 a year to just £200,” she said. “What can you do with that?”
She also referred to the plight of wild animals in Cyprus, saying local attitudes saw them as a nuisance that had to be controlled. “People consider themselves in charge of nature,” she said.
But there is plenty that can be done to improve the plight of animals on the island.
To start with, there’s the four-point CySPCA campaign on behalf of Cyprus’ pets. The CySPCA is actively campaigning against the continued sale of poisons and for a neutering programme. In addition, the organisation wants better methods of identifying animals in case they stray, and more rehoming.
Responsible ownership, Koudounaris says, includes making sure dogs do not foul public walkways, neutering pets and making sure they have daily companionship to ensure they don’t make a nuisance of themselves by barking.
In addition, she says, those who have had pets poisoned should stand up for their rights and protest to the relevant authorities. For pets’ protection, owners should be aware of the danger, carry an emergency first aid kit and in some cases be prepared to muzzle dogs in order to prevent them from eating poisoned food.
World animal day, she says, is a time to reflect as humans on our position in nature – and how to live in harmony with it.
Anyone interested in helping out can volunteer to help out at one of the many private shelters on the island, make donations of either money or supplies, or adopt or sponsor an animal.
Among the organisations operating are the CySPCA, which can be reached on 02-350530, the Nicosia Dog Shelter 02-269568, Diana’s Animal Welfare of Limassol, which operates an anti-euthanasia policy, tel: 05-356426, and CCATS, which operates a spaying and neutering programme for strays in the Limassol area, tel: 05-720790.
World Animal Day occurs every year on October 4, which is also the feast of St Francis, patron saint of animals.
