Stray Cat Overpopulation: Call for Free Sterilizations in Cyprus

Cat Alert Nicosia highlights the uncontrolled increase in the stray cat population in Cyprus, linking it to the discontinuation of free sterilization in state clinics. The group argues that private clinics, with increased prices (€50+ for males, €85-120 for females), are not a viable solution for controlling the stray population.

Although municipalities provide sterilization vouchers, these are mainly used for owned and semi-owned cats, leaving the stray problem unresolved. Cat Alert Nicosia proposes the creation of non-profit clinics with state funding for free, year-round sterilization of stray and semi-stray cats. They also propose hiring staff by municipalities to trap and transport strays to the clinics.

The group emphasizes the need for legislation to prevent the abandonment of newborns and to require those who feed cats outdoors to sterilize them, with free access to sterilization services. They cite examples of other countries where volunteer organizations offer free sterilization, deworming, and tagging programs for stray animals.

They conclude that the current situation, with limited sterilizations (2,000-6,000 annually) in a population estimated at nearly 2 million, is inadequate and leads to the death of thousands of cats.

President Cat Alert Nicosia