Nicosia, Cyprus. Animal rescue groups under Cyprus Voice for Animals said on Monday they would pause all trap-neuter-and-release programmes for stray cats until further notice, citing a lack of security measures and repeated attacks on volunteers.
Call for official authorisation
Danae Kaza of Cyprus Voice for Animals said the groups need authorisation cards from the agriculture ministry making clear they can continue to neuter animals.
She said the groups currently neuter around 100 animals per week.
Reports of threats and attacks
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Kaza said that following recent rumours about alleged cat kidnappings from homes, the groups had repeatedly become targets of attacks.
In a statement, Cyprus Voice for Animals said volunteers had for months been subjected to complaints, threats, verbal abuse and physical attacks while collecting cats for sterilisation, often at their own expense and without governmental support.
The group said that instead of being protected, volunteers had been taken to police stations and treated as offenders.
Warning over impact of suspension
Cyprus Voice for Animals said pausing the programme would lead to uncontrolled breeding and place municipalities in a position to manage a situation that is rapidly spiralling out of control, with the animals suffering more.
The group said the suspension had become a necessary measure to protect its volunteers and expressed disappointment and indignation over the situation.
