Animals in Cyprus

Importing animals to cyprus

Veterinary conditions relating to the importation of dogs and cats into Cyprus
The dogs/ cats shall not be landed in Cyprus unless and until there is delivered to a Veterinary officer at the port/airport of Import an Animal Health Certificate issued by a duly authorized Veterinary Officer of the Government of the exporting country attesting that the animals:

1. Were clinically examined not more than 72 hours prior to exportation and found to be in good health and free from signs of rabies and any other infectious or contagious disease.
   
2. Were kept since birth or for the six months prior to shipment, in the exporting country where no case of Rabies was officially reported during the past two years.
   or were kept for the six months prior to shipment in premises where no case of Rabies was officially reported during that period.
   
3. Either have not been vaccinated against Rabies.

Vaccination certificates for Rabies and any other vaccinations that the animal has been given should be attached

Owners of the animals should notify ahead the Department of Veterinary services of the
Ministry of Agriculture, CY1417 Lefkosia
Tel: 00357 22 80 52 01, 22 80 52 08
Fax: 00357 22 33 28 03
email: vet.services@cytanet.com.cy

Animal Life

Mammals

The most famous Cypriot wild animal is the Moufflon. Visitors can see this shy mountain sheep in a large outdoor enclosure at Stavros tis Psokas, a large forest station in the Paphos forest. Flocks of sheep and herds of goats graze in the hilly landscape. In the wine growing areas, donkeys are indispensable working animals. In the forest there are many small animals such as foxes, rabbits, hares and squirrels.

Reptiles

The dry summer landscape is a natural home for lizards, chameleons and snakes. Nature lovers can enjoy watching these rare creatures taking a sunbath on a hot stone or suddenly crossing their path. Lara Beach is one of the few beaches in Europe where the rare sea turtles are still able to build their nests. Sometimes turtles can be seen in the daytime, swimming near the coast in the clear waters of the Mediterranean.

Sea Fauna

Off the coast of Cyprus live about 260 different kinds of fish. The underwater reefs near the coast are also a delight for nature lovers with sponges, corals, sea anemones and mussels. The clear water of the sea is very inviting for diving and snorkeling.

Birds

Many European birds spend the winter here in Cyprus because of its mild climate. This East Mediterranean Island is a handy stopover for migrating birds on their way to Africa. Other birds come here in the spring for their breeding season and then stay on for the summer. Little surprise then that there have been around 375 different kinds of birds counted in Cyprus. Ornithologists from all over the world come to admire the rich bird life particularly in spring and autumn. There are also several species of indigenous birds in Cyprus. Birdwatchers will be amply rewarded in cyprus. among endemic birds are the cyprus warbler, cyprus pied wheatear, coal tit and scops owl. other feathered residents include chukar, crested lark, wood pigeon, kestrel, barn owl, bonelli's eagle and griffon vultures. in addition, many migratory birds stop over in cyprus in spring and fall. by december there are coots, ringed plovers, lapwings, sea gulls and sandpipers. in the spring come glossy ibis, egrets and herons. after the late fall rains swell the salt lakes of akrotiri and larnaka, thousands of greater flamingoes on hiatus from their traditional homes in africa fly in to over-winter there. many migratory ducks arrive by december. every month the birdlife cyprus organizes field - meetings for bird ringing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
1. Birdlife Cyprus
P.O Box 28076
2090 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Tel. 357 22 45 50 72
Fax: 357 22 45 50 73
email: cos@cytanet.com.cy

Donkeys

In 1991 two professional people relocated to Cyprus to live a quieter life, he to write about wine, food and rural life, she to design a home and garden in a remote village. Today they have a 7-day week looking after more than 100 donkeys and coping with thousands of visitors, mostly British, who are totally essential to the survival of their animal sanctuary.
Part of the main site accommodates 70 donkeys showing stable units and exercise yards.
Building at this site only started in June 1996, when the first unit was prepared for the arrival of donkeys from a closed sanctuary in Crete.
The sanctuary is entirely dependent upon private donations and income from visitors, mostly British residents and their families, and tourists from Britain and other countries. Volunteers help care for, feed, and walk donkeys.
The residents are always pleased to see a visitor, especially those with carrots.

Progress at the country's donkey sanctuary

"Friends of the Cyprus Donkey", is a registered Cypriot non-profit charitable association, started in October 1994 by Mary and Patrick Skinner in Vouni village, when their original family of "pet" donkeys had suddenly developed from three to six. In October 1995 there were 17, a year later 37, in October 1997, 57 and today more than 80. All animals are elderly, frail or simply unwanted, but they form part of a rapidly disappearing part of the heritage of Cyprus.
From a small private endeavour run by the Skinners, with some help from friends, has developed a growingly efficient animal care organisation with full-time carers, a rota of volunteers, weekly furrier sessions and consultant veterinarians. A service of advice, medical and foot care is also offered to owners of donkeys not in the Vouni sanctuary. All this requires an income of at least ST£7,000 per month to meet day-to-day costs and the development programme required to take in more animals.

"Income comes through many channels", says Administrator Mary Skinner, "We have over a thousand members who pay an annual subscription. Hundreds of children "adopt" a donkey for £5,00 a year. There are a number of generous donors and we also have as many as a thousand visitors a month, who help us financially and buy merchandise from our shop, which has a growing range of good quality products for gifts.

Animals are resident on four sites. Two are not far from the Skinners' house, "The Home Site". One, with 15 animals is the "Intensive Care Unit" for old and frail animals. Half a kilometre away is "The Stena Site", on which more than 80 donkeys now reside. At Stena are the Association's shop, refreshment facilities and picnic area. More land in the Stena area and elsewhere is being rented to cope with the arrival of more unwanted animals.

Visitors are welcome from 10.00 a.m. to 4p.m. every day, except Sunday, but in view of the calls upon the staff and helpers, they are requested to phone first to arrange their visit. Groups are very welcome and special programmes can be arranged.

Administrator of the sanctuary, Mary Skinner (left) and President of Friends of the Cyprus Donkey, Kate Clerides, the daughter of the President of the Republic of Cyprus. The Association is run by a Cypriot-British committee of seven committed devotees.

Information for visitors to the Sanctuary

Today, there are more than 100 donkeys resident at the sanctuary at Vouni. The donkeys are accommodated in twelve units, each unit containing about 10 donkeys. Units 1, 2 and 9 are at the "home" site, near the house of Mary and Patrick Skinner, and Units 3-8, and 10-11are at an area called Stena about half a mile away.

Stena is now the headquarters of the sanctuary, with a visitors' centre, comprising shop, lavatories, a facility for drinks and other refreshments, and a picnic area. Units 1 and 2 are reserved for the accommodation of very old animals and those requiring special veterinary care. Units 3 - 8 are for the younger, fitter animals who are grouped according to age, size and condition.

The animals come from all over the island. All of them are unwanted for a variety of reasons. Some are too old to work, or their owners are too old to work them. Sometimes an owner dies or is ill and there is no one prepared to take care of the donkey. In many cases, a machine is now doing the job that the donkey used to do. It is the aim of Friends of the Cyprus Donkey to give these unwanted animals food and shelter and, when necessary, veterinary care and to make their lives as comfortable as possible. All animals are routinely vaccinated against tetanus and treated for internal and external parasites. All animals receive regular visits from our farrier for routine or specialist treatment of their feet and teeth. There is an active re-location and "re-homing" programme, which has resulted in nine animals being re-sited to date.
Sponsors (or adopters) cy£5 (ST£6) per donkey per year. All donkeys in the sanctuary have a name and you choose which one you want to "adopt" or sponsor. All sponsors receive a colour photograph of their donkey and a follow-up letter after one year to report on their donkey's progress.

The sanctuary welcomes many thousands of visitors every year, from all over the world.

Paws dog shelter

Locateds just outside Geroskipou, a few kilometers from Paphos. It was started in 1986, and is continually being developed and improved.

Here are directions to the dog shelter:

A. B6 (old road) from Paphos towards airport:
Pass Geroskipou Church and Square on Right, then Long Island Cyprus Pottery Shop (arches and statues) on Left.
TURN RIGHT just past the shop. Stay on this road, over canal, until you come to a T Junction, Turn Left on slightly rough road, take first Right then first Left. Paws Dog Shelter is about half a kilometre on the Left side by a STOP Sign.

B. From Tourist area go to dual carriageway (starting at Sodap Winery) and follow the signs for Geroskipou and Lemesos. At the first roundabout turn Right. Follow this straight road for over 2 kilometres passing Go Carts and Mini Golf on left. Just after football pitches with floodlights turn Left. After about 1 kilometre you will see a boat yard on your left. After boat yard take the 2nd turning on your right. Go to the end of this road and you will find the Shelter by the stop sign on your left.

What they do

Each morning around 7:30am willing helpers arrive at the kennels to clean out, care for the dogs, and, in the purpose-built kitchens, start cooking the food for the very grateful 'residents.' PAWS DOG SHELTER spends over £Cyp 900 per month on food. The daily diet consists of minced chicken, rice and complete dog food.

Every year over 500 dogs are brought in or tied to the kennel gates. All new arrivals are kept in the front area. Here they are assessed and given any treatment they may require. When they are settled and fit they can join the other dogs in the main part of the shelter. First they are given a name, vaccinations, a micro-chip and a tick & flea collar is put on. There are ten compounds where the dogs are free to run together, the managers decide which compound will best suit the new arrival and the dog is introduced to the group. The only time the dogs are put into their pens is for feeding. For the rest of the day they enjoy each other's company, running around, playing or just lying quietly.

They try to find homes for as many as possible. There is a house inspection to ensure the dog will be safe and happy. If old enough, the dog will be neutered before going to its new home. Their policy is to neuter or spay as many dogs as possible, thereby preventing more unwanted homeless puppies - another major expense.