Target: Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Republic of Cyprus
Goal: Immediately pause the demolition of a decades-old animal shelter and urgently fund safe, humane relocation for roughly 2,000 animals at risk of abandonment and harm.
A court-ordered demolition threatens a 40-year-old shelter that currently houses about 2,000 animals. Accounts from volunteers and local advocates describe an imminent loss of refuge for donkeys, horses, dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and a pony, with other shelters at capacity. Stakeholders have convened while peaceful protests urge authorities to suspend demolition and coordinate emergency relocation. If demolition proceeds without a plan, animals could face preventable suffering, unsafe transfers, or abandonment.
Further details suggest landowners have reclaimed the property and a court has ordered demolition, while the municipality and stakeholders seek solutions. Advocates warn that many animals were rescued from neglect or abandonment and that sudden displacement could trigger injury, disease spread, or deaths. Accounts further contend that a temporary reprieve, coupled with public-sector support and private sanctuary coordination, could avert a welfare crisis.
A humane response is both practical and necessary. Cyprus can activate emergency powers and public-private mechanisms to pause demolition, deploy veterinary triage, and sequence phased, traceable transfers to vetted sanctuaries. This petition demands an immediate administrative stay, emergency funding for transport and medical care, a centralized placement registry, and transparent oversight that prioritizes animal well-being. A measured pause now prevents chaos later.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Panayiotou,
We respectfully urge your office to issue an immediate administrative pause on the reported court-ordered demolition of the long-standing animal shelter in Yeroskipou and to mobilize emergency measures that protect animal welfare. Public reports indicate that roughly 2,000 animals could be displaced without sufficient capacity elsewhere, allegedly risking abandonment, injury, or worse. These animals—many reportedly rescued from prior neglect—deserve a coordinated, humane transition rather than a rushed clearance.
We ask that you convene relevant ministries, the district veterinary services, municipal leaders, and accredited sanctuaries to establish a rapid placement plan. This should include emergency funding for veterinary assessment, transport, and temporary boarding; a centralized registry to track each animal’s movement and outcome; and clear biosecurity protocols to mitigate disease risks during transfers. We also ask for public updates that document placements and outcomes until every animal is safely housed.
Cyprus can demonstrate leadership by preventing an avoidable welfare crisis. Please suspend demolition activities until a verified relocation plan is complete and fully resourced, with independent oversight to ensure humane standards throughout. Thank you for acting swiftly to safeguard vulnerable animals during this critical period.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Kenny Belue
