The government intends to allocate €250,000 for the construction of a modern district animal shelter in Paphos, in an effort to provide a long-term solution to the persistent problem of stray animal management.
The issue was discussed during a meeting held at Paphos Town Hall on Wednesday, attended by Environment and Animal Welfare Commissioner Elias Myrianthous and acting Paphos mayor Angelos Onisiforou.
Myrianthous said the aim is for the project to move forward and be completed within the next 18 months, before the end of his term in office.
He added that efforts would be made to overcome existing obstacles and identify the most suitable location for the facility.
Reliance on volunteers
At present, the care and sheltering of stray animals in Paphos district relies heavily on private initiatives and, in particular, volunteer efforts.
Although the district's municipalities and communities have established temporary holding facilities, existing infrastructure is considered insufficient to address the problem effectively.
Site selection remains unresolved
At an earlier stage, relevant government departments identified a state-owned plot in the community of Anarita as a potential site for the district shelter.
However, the proposal faced strong opposition from both the Paphos Union of Communities and local authorities.
Myrianthous said current efforts are focused on removing obstacles so that the project can proceed as quickly as possible.
He also left open the possibility of identifying an alternative site should the existing proposal prove unworkable.
Call for cooperation
For his part, Onisiforou acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but expressed confidence that the challenges can be overcome through cooperation among all stakeholders.
The creation of a modern, organised shelter is expected to represent a significant step towards addressing the stray animal problem in Paphos, while also improving animal protection and welfare standards across the district.
