Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia: Clarifies reports on animal welfare

The Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia issued an announcement to restore the truth about reports about animal welfare.

This announcement:

Upon assuming its responsibilities, the new Municipal Council of the Municipality of Paralimni Deryneia, has undertaken and continues to undertake many initiatives and actions for the safety and welfare of animals within its Municipal boundaries. We demonstrate immense sensitivity, which far exceeds our obligations and responsibilities as the legally competent authority in accordance with the Animal Welfare Legislation.

With regard to some publications in the Municipal Gazette regarding the Municipality's policies and for the purposes of properly informing the public, the Municipality informs that:

1. 1. No decision has been taken by the Municipal Council regarding the movement of animals from any point within the administrative district of the Municipality, nor has any similar action been taken by the Municipality staff.
   2. The Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia has been implementing policies over time that demonstrate in practice the care and sensitivity of the Municipal Authority regarding issues of animal welfare and protection.
   3. In the year 2025, many thousands of euros have already been allocated from the Municipality's annual budget for issues related to animal welfare and safety and management of issues arising from stray animals.
   4. The Municipality has already constructed and installed many special feeding points for stray cats, while the process of constructing additional points is underway, with the aim of fully covering the feeding needs throughout the territory of the Municipality.
   5. At the same time, the Municipality has proceeded with the proper and full implementation of the existing legislation regarding the ownership of dogs, with the aim of preventing and combating the phenomenon of their abandonment.
   6. The Municipality was and is a pioneer and one of the first municipalities in Cyprus to establish, develop and maintain a beach where dog bathing is permitted with the provision of free beach mattresses and umbrellas.
   7. The Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia strictly complies with all applicable laws, regulations and administrative provisions concerning the welfare and protection of animals, ensuring that its actions and policies are based on a legal, ethical and social basis. Any action is taken with the protection of public health, animal welfare and in full compliance with the legislation.

The goal of the Municipality of Paralimni Deryneia, under the newly elected Mayor Mr. George Nikolettou, is to establish an animal-friendly Municipality. The Municipality has communicated and is in open communication with the Honorable Mrs. Antonia Theodosiou, Commissioner for Environment and Animal Welfare, for the purposes of further improving the Municipality's practices and invited the Honorable Commissioner to make any suggestions or observations she deems appropriate on the issues arising.

We also invite all those who have similar sensitivities for animals as the Municipality to send us their opinions and suggestions for even greater improvement, or even complaints about any arbitrariness by anyone within the Municipality.

The issues concerning animals are issues that concern us all. And only with everyone's cooperation can we improve and make our Municipality a model.