The Commissioners for the Environment and Volunteering and NGOs, the Veterinary Services and the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for Animal Welfare have decided to launch a sterilization and care campaign for stray animals. The campaign will include:
a) the creation and implementation of a sterilization program mainly for stray cats but also for a small number of dogs (through shelters);
b) finding financial resources from the private sector (citizens, organized groups and companies) that will strengthen the effort, since together with the money from the state they will enable more sterilizations on an annual basis,
c) the sterilization program will be implemented through the Pancyprian Animal Welfare Coordinating Committee and its Provincial Committees with the support and guidance of the Veterinary Services;
d) educating and informing the public on the subject of neutering and animal welfare.
The planned information actions that will be carried out by the Offices of the Commissioners of Environment and Volunteering and NGOs until the end of the year are:
>> 18/10 Larnaca Finikoudes 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
>> 25/10 Limassol Molos 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
>> 1/11 Paralimni Square 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
>> 8/11 Nicosia Mall Engomi 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
>> 15/11 Nicosia Mall Latsia 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
>> 22/11 Paphos Mall 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
>> 29/11 Limassol Mall 17: 00΄-19: 00΄
During these activities, information material and a kit will be distributed, which will facilitate dog owners to collect their dog feces, which otherwise cause environmental pollution and pose a risk to public health.
According to a relevant press release, "stray animals, dogs and cats are now a reality in our country. This situation is quite complex and requires a very sensitive and careful approach. The increase of stray animals is mainly due to the uncontrolled reproduction of the dominant animals, due to the fact that their guardians do not sterilize them. A dog in each litter can give birth to one to 10 puppies, while a cat can give birth to up to 6-8 kittens. Uncontrolled breeding of dogs / cats leads to their overpopulation, with the result that many of them are abandoned. Animals that are unfortunately abandoned often end up dying, due to either difficulty finding food or exposure to a variety of hazards, such as car accidents, poisonings and infectious diseases. In addition, under current law, many of the animals that end up in Municipal and Community Shelters and do not find an owner are killed. The importance of sterilization is therefore understood, as a means of avoiding the above unpleasant situations. Sterilizing pets is necessary and beneficial for both the health and the psychology of pets. In addition, neutering, combined with the adoption of animals from shelters, is the only way to try to control the overpopulation of stray animals. "
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