It is not difficult for anyone to simply drive some road in Cyprus and see an abandoned dog. Cats, there are way too many of these too roaming around, and as we all know countless private individuals feed the strays, look after them, take them in to be sterilized whenever and however possible.
Then, there are the animal welfare groups. Foster groups (hence without an organized structure, but rather with an organized network of people), rehabilitation and rehoming centres or animal shelters, all these groups will do their utmost to help in any way they see fit and possible the strays of Cyprus – by now, one of the biggest stains on the image of an otherwise paradise island.
The biggest problem faced by all in animal welfare, from whichever angle it is approached, is sustainability. Anywhere in the world, literally everyone in animal welfare will complain about sustainability. Whether it comes in the shape of funds, resources such as food or building materials, sustainability is what makes possible the work in animal welfare.
Since this domain is such a vast one but also one that, for the wrong reasons of course, is not really the central focus of any government, animal welfare’s sustainability always suffers with being a really big part of the non-governmental side of society.
Hoping that everyone agrees to the idea that animal welfare is absolutely essential for the healthy development of future generations, for a cleaner and safer environment and for wholesome communities, then so should everyone agree to the idea that none of this vital work can be carried out if its very existence can’t be ensured from one month to the other,
from one year to the next.
How can any work be done in trapping and neutering cats? How can hundreds, thousands of animals be fed? How can disease management and disinfection protocols be kept up? How can medical care be provided? How can birth and disease control and population management be implemented fully? How can education programs be carried out? How can rescue missions be achieved? How can any of it be done if none of it is sustainable, if the intermittence of funding and the scarcity of materials is the actually the biggest daily struggle of animal welfare…
The solutions are of course multiple and it is up to everyone to find them according to how much they wish to live in a healthy, safe and clean community, with animals cared for and children educated in the respect of animals. One and one thing only is, however, the solution: for everyone to understand the important of sustainability in animal welfare.
Donations of food are always needed. Call 26946461 for more info. Thank you for your support!
Visit Paphiakos Animal Rescue Cyprus Facebook Page.
