Currently unable to accept unwanted dogs

[Paphiakos]

We currently have over 1,000 animals living in the Paphiakos Shelter. Unfortunately due to lack of funds and space we are currently unable to take in unwanted dogs/puppies until further notice. As soon as possible we will try to resume this service.

[Wee Stumpy]

This is absolutely heartbreaking news and I don't know the answer other than the Government insisting on and policing a spaying and castration programme for ALL dogs. Cats can live rough fairly happily ( with a little bit of help) but dogs can't. How can we just leave them to try and survive?

[cactuslil]

Which would go alongside the policies of licensing,microchipping etc. Sorry but there are enough laws in place they just need enforcing. Its a very sad state that we're in & the poor shelters just can't do any more than they're doing & each year gets worse instead of better.

[Paphiakos]

Thank you for your supportive replies. There is a very sad article posted by Paphiakos on the General section 'Dog left at Shelter Gates' relevant to this subject. Caution though, shocking photos!!

[Paphiakos]

You will have to contact your local Municipality or contact the Gov. Vet tele:- 26821260 for advice.

[bev and ray peyia]

After years of trying, it gets no better does it ?
As much as I hate to say it , the only way is to euthanaise unwanted and sick animals and round up and spay the rest in the hope that numbers can become manageable.
To the majority of Cypriots, animals are to work, not pets so therefore nothing is spent on them to prev
ent unwanted puppies and kittens and this will continue regardless of peoples best efforts.
I am an animal person, I shipped our cat back at huge expense but having rescued him and taken him in I am responsible for him , so I do not say the above lightly.

[Florentyna]

Bev & Ray

I very sadly say the same. There has to be a program. Aware of the shelters not taking new dogs, I would no longer pick up a stray as I have done in the past as I cannot have any more dogs as my old dog does not mix. What a sorry state Cyprus is in, making headlines for the scandalous case of Billy as well

[markwoods39]

After years of trying, it gets no better does it ?
As much as I hate to say it , the only way is to euthanaise unwanted and sick animals and round up and spay the rest in the hope that numbers can become manageable.

I am a big dog lover and have to agree with the above I remember seeing 2 dogs on the Polis road about 2 yrs ago I stopped but they ran off on my return I saw 1 of the dogs dead in the road and the other sitting next to him/her omg I shed loads of tears that night and still think about now.

What Cy needs and the rest of the world is special breeding permits at a cost of £20.000 per breeder that way puppies will cost so much that owners will look after them better. Anyone caught breeding dogs without a permit they will be fined £100.000 MIN and anyone who finds/see someone breeding dogs without a permit will get a reward say £20.000. I know wishful thinking and this would never happen in CY or any other country

Keep up your fantastic hard work you all do in CY for these poor animals .

[flump]

On a slightly different note - for all those who believe that Paphiakos "put all dogs to sleep" (which I have read many times and on many forums and people's facebook pages), this should prove that they don't, otherwise they could easily "make room"

[Pickles]

Flump x

[Wee Stumpy]

Sorry Markswood - good idea but it does not work!! People pay thousands of Euros now for a well bred Hunting Dog but according to our Vet never bother to vaccinate, worm them etc etc - sheer ignorance I think!

Also I used to walk our dog around Tala when we lived there and Kathikas when we lived there and initially wondered why there was so much white poo about - then I found out ! A lot of the elderly cypriots in particular ( not all!!) feed their dogs on bread and the occasional bone left over from their dinners. They would never dream of buying dog food but in many cases have pedigree dogs.

[Firefly]

One of our neighbours used to breed hunting dogs, the unwanted ones, presumably of no value, were shot by him in his back yard and not always were these unfortunate animals killed by the first shot!

There is NO control over breeding in Cyprus, hence the stray starving dogs, dumped to save the cost of cartridges maybe. I lived in fear for my three cats, thank God he never shot them !

Jackie

[debs21]

A few months ago I took my daughter out in the car to show her around some of the countryside, I took my dog with me. On the way back I decided to pull over to give my dog a 'toilet break' and started to turn into a layby: my daughter screamed not to and as I looked to drive away three dogs laid side by side obviously dead due to the blood on them, just left there....awful, just horrid. While this mentality persists there is no chance of anything changing here.

[Wee Stumpy]

Can you please provide an update on the situation Paphiakos? Have you re-homes any animals and therefore have some room to take more?

Are you receiving any help from the Government in view of the dire need? Are you receiving any financial assistance from the municipalities that are supposed to provide dog shelters and don't?

What are you doing to try to alleviate the situation?

[Paphiakos]

Unfortunately, although a few dogs/puppies have been re-homed the situation is still the same, maybe worse, as the public are now just leaving dogs/puppies at the Shelter gate or outside the Clinic door!
Paphiakos do not and have never received any help at all from the Government or Municipalities.
They have been made fully aware of the situation but as yet there has been no response from the Authorities.

[Wee Stumpy]

Thank you for that! I do believe that it is important to keep everyone updated and request help when needed!

[Paphiakos]

Please visit the Paphiakos website where there is information on various ways to help. They include fundraising, donating, volunteering, becoming a Member, sponsoring etc.
Concerning ' Currently unable to accept unwanted dogs/cats',further information will be announced once there is a change in the circumstances.
Please visit Paphiakos Animal Welfare section on CyprusLiving , to find out about our next social fundraising event our 'Summer Supper party on 23rd August' Tickets still available.

[Jim]

Morning, maybe best you let members know where we can we take strays, many of us already have strays and unwanted dogs and cats, and cannot take in another, surly there must be another way for this to go?

We do appreciate your hard work, I always have, also CL will always support you, but what are the Cyprus ex-pats supposed to do when we find these unfortunate animals? This is the question we need answering, no one is blaming you but some advice please!

[Paphiakos]

As previous posted, the Public will have to contact your local Municipality or contact the Gov. Vet tele:- 26821260 to find out where to take unwanted dogs/Puppies. Paphiakos are still and always have been able to accept unwanted cats/kittens.
This is dire,for everyone whilst this situation continues.
Thank you for your continuing support

[kili1]

I wondered if Paphiakos are still able to euthanise unwanted dogs? I know it is an unpleasant subject, but if there aren't shelters run by charities which can accept them, is it better for the dogs to be left to the mercies of local municipality run dog pounds? Reading in the paper what happened at the pound in Aradippou recently to stray dogs, I would think twice about condemning any animal to life in a municipally run shelter or pound.
Dee

[Paphiakos]

Hi Dee, your enquiry has been passed onto the Paphiakos team. Once received, a reply will be posted here. In the meantime, if an urgent situation occurs please ring 26946461 between 7am and 7pm or Emergency No. 99655581 for advice.

[LouiseCastricum]

I wondered if Paphiakos are still able to euthanise unwanted dogs? I know it is an unpleasant subject, but if there aren't shelters run by charities which can accept them, is it better for the dogs to be left to the mercies of local municipality run dog pounds? Reading in the paper what happened at the pound in Aradippou recently to stray dogs, I would think twice about condemning any animal to life in a municipally run shelter or pound.
Dee

The pound mentioned in the newspaper in Aradippou WAS NOT the municipality run shelter but a private one!

[Paphiakos]

Paphiakos & CCP Animal Welfare only euthanize dogs already in their care when necessary and are strong believers in the preservation of the life of a healthy animal when possible.