Animal shelter in Paphos on the verge of closure – dispute over animals, licenses and responsibility
Animal shelter in Paphos on the verge of closure – dispute over animals, licenses and responsibility
An animal welfare disaster is currently looming in Paphos. According to a court order, a large animal shelter in Kato Paphos is to be closed and evicted.
According to reports, between 1,000 and 2,000 animals are affected - dogs, cats, donkeys and other rescued animals, some of which have lived there for years.
According to reports, between 1,000 and 2,000 animals are affected - dogs, cats, donkeys and other rescued animals, some of which have lived there for years.
While the authorities speak of legal violations, volunteers and animal rights activists are sounding the alarm: They see the lives of thousands of animals in danger and demand immediate intervention.
The background: Court injunction and licensing dispute:
According to several Cypriot media (Cyprus Mail, KNews, Philenews), the closure is the implementation of a court order that provides for the demolition or decommissioning of an unlicensed facility.
The reason: violation of building regulations and lack of operating license.
The reason: violation of building regulations and lack of operating license.
Officials emphasize that the shelter has been operated for years without an official license and is also located near residential areas - which is legally problematic. The case has now become a conflict between animal welfare and administration.
The reaction of the volunteers
Volunteers of the animal shelter are shocked by the procedure. In a public statement on November 07, 2025, volunteer ElisNews Michael wrote on Facebook:
"We, the volunteers of the Paphos Animal Shelter, are heartbroken and disturbed by the forcible removal of about 2,000 animals from our care.
"We, the volunteers of the Paphos Animal Shelter, are heartbroken and disturbed by the forcible removal of about 2,000 animals from our care.
These animals—many of which have been rescued from neglect, abuse, and abandonment—have found safety, love, and stability in our refuge.
Their sudden removal will cause enormous stress and endanger their lives. For years, we volunteers have been working tirelessly day and night, often with limited resources, to provide food, medical care, and comfort to each animal. To see these animals now being sent away without a clear plan for their welfare is devastating. We call on the authorities to stop this removal until humane and transparent solutions are found. These animals are not numbers – they are lives that we have promised to protect."
The volunteers are calling for a peaceful protest on November 14 at 10 a.m. in front of the Paphos District Court.
The bigger problem: Between idealism and bureaucracy
The question remains open as to whether this case is really only about building law – or whether financial interests play a role.
Several articles and comments by animal rights activists point out that municipalities now receive EU subsidies for castration and feeding programmes for stray animals.
However, these funds only flow to licensed facilities.
Several articles and comments by animal rights activists point out that municipalities now receive EU subsidies for castration and feeding programmes for stray animals.
However, these funds only flow to licensed facilities.
Critics suspect that the closure of private animal shelters is intended to secure or redistribute municipal funds. Authorities have not yet denied this, but have also not issued a detailed statement on the future of the affected animals.
Between hope and helplessness
The real dilemma lies in the lack of coordination between commitment and the legal system:
Many animal rights activists invest heart and soul, time and money to rescue abandoned animals – often in structures that have never been formalized.
On the other hand, there are authorities that have to implement laws – even if this means closing functioning facilities.
As long as there are no uniform regulations for licenses, building regulations and state support, this conflict is likely to persist.
Conclusion What is currently happening in Paphos is more than a local administrative case – it is a symptom of a larger problem:
volunteering and idealism are met with bureaucracy and law-abiding.
The animals get caught between the fronts.
volunteering and idealism are met with bureaucracy and law-abiding.
The animals get caught between the fronts.
Whether a humane solution can be found now depends on whether authorities, municipalities and animal welfare activists are willing to work together on a legally secure but compassionate way.
"Peaceful solidarity rally"
📅 14 November 2025
📍 in front of Paphos 🕙
District Court 10:00 a.m.
➡️ Peaceful rally for the preservation of the animal shelter and a humane solution for all animals.
Here is the link to Paphos District Court on Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KeZ3GaoaUVYjQCzMA
Address: Corner of Neophytou & Nicou Nikolaide Str., 8100 Paphos, Cyprus.
You could also listen to this article as an audio on MFRadio.de interviews or listen to this video contribution on our Facebook page MFRadio.de as a video/audio stream!
Author: Tom Weyermann / MF-RedaktionSources (as of 09.11.2025):https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/10/07/about-1000-animals-face-homelessness-after-court-demolition-order-in-paphos https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/paphos-animal-shelter-closure-1000-animals-cyprus
- https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/over-1-000-animals-face-uncertain-future-after-paphos-shelter-ordered-to-close
- https://cyprus-faq.com/en/south/news/sud-postanovil-snesti-priyut-v-pafose-volontery-ishchut-spasenie-dlya-tysyachi-zhivotnykh
- https://archive.cyprus-mail.com/2017/12/22/oldest-animal-shelter-may-forced-close
- https://animalrescuecyprus.com
- https://pawsdogshelter.com
- https://thepaphospost.com/index.php/2022/07/17/how-you-can-help-animal-rescue-cyprus
- https://cyprus-mail.com/category/local-news/paphos
- https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-to-shut-unlic
