Animal Shelters in Northern Cyprus: Where to Turn in 2026

In Northern Cyprus, there are at least several active animal shelters and rehoming centers. As of March 2026, these include: Kyrenia Animal Rescue Centre in Girne, FARC in Famagusta, the municipal Girne Belediyesi Hayvan Barınağı ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, the Lefkoşa Hayvan Barınağı shelter, the Famagusta municipal shelter, as well as the volunteer network Hope 4 Pets North Cyprus, the İVAR group in İskele, and the volunteer initiative Tatlisu Rescued Dogs. Most often, these centers deal with dogs, as they are the primary residents available for adoption. Cats are frequently rehomed through volunteer networks, temporary foster homes, and local support groups.

If you want to adopt an animal from a shelter, surrender a found dog, or help with food and donations, it is best to contact the organization directly in advance: some centers change their visiting hours, contact details, and intake rules.

• Which shelters and centers are operating
• Summary table
• How to do it
• Other existing initiatives
• Frequently asked questions

Which shelters and centers are operating

Below are the locations you can use as a practical starting point in Northern Cyprus if you want to adopt a pet, help a shelter, or clarify where to turn regarding a stray dog.

Kyrenia Animal Rescue Centre

One of the most well-known and long-running animal aid centers in Northern Cyprus. KAR accepts dogs and cats, provides medical treatment, handles rehoming, runs volunteer programs, and collects donations. It is best to contact the center in advance for visits and adoptions.

Website: Animal Rescue Centre
Phone: +90 533 869 40 98
E-mail: [email protected]

FARC Famagusta Animal Rehoming Centre

FARC is an animal rehoming center in the Famagusta area. The organization helps stray and abandoned dogs, focusing on their maintenance and finding new owners. Facebook and phone are the most common ways to contact FARC.

Facebook: FARC Famagusta Animal Rehoming Centre
Phone: +90 533 889 16 32
E-mail: [email protected]

Girne Belediyesi Hayvan Barınağı ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi

The Girne municipal shelter and rehabilitation center works with stray animals, primarily dogs. Through them, you can clarify issues regarding adoption, treatment, and municipal assistance for animals in the Girne district.

Contact for adoption information: +90 533 839 38 38
Facebook platform: Girne Belediyesi Hayvan Dostları Platformu

Lefkoşa Hayvan Barınağı

The Nicosia (Lefkoşa) shelter maintains a dedicated website with animal profiles for free adoption and a form for volunteers. This is one of the most convenient options if you want to view the animals in advance and contact the shelter directly.

Website: ltbsevimlidostlar.com
Address: Sanayi Bölgesi 3. Cadde, Lefkoşa
Phone: +90 533 833 05 82
E-mail: [email protected]

Gazimağusa Belediyesi Köpek Barınağı ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi

The Famagusta municipality operates its own center for dogs. It is mentioned in municipal communications and city service announcements as a separate contact for animal shelter and rehabilitation matters.

Phone: +90 548 864 91 79

Hope 4 Pets North Cyprus

This is a volunteer rescue organization that assists with fostering, rehoming, finding homes for dogs and cats, and pet transportation. The project has its own website with a contact page, sections for adoption, and pet travel, making it one of the most convenient contacts for many cases in Northern Cyprus.

Website: hope4petsnorthcyprus.com
Phone: +90 533 845 06 40
E-mail: [email protected]
Additional e-mail for pet travel: [email protected]

İVAR İskele Volunteer Animal Rescue

In İskele, aid for dogs is provided not only through the municipal shelter but also through the İVAR volunteer group, which publicly states it assists in the operations of the İskele shelter and collects donations for food and maintenance. If you need a contact regarding dogs in İskele, adoption, or helping shelter dogs, this is one of the practical communication options.

Facebook: İVAR İskele Volunteer Animal Rescue
E-mail: [email protected]
Shelter dogs group: İSKELE SOKAK HAYVANLARINI KORUMA VE KURTARMA

Tatlisu Rescued Dogs

This is a local volunteer initiative in the Tatlisu area that assists with rescue, rehoming, and spreading information about animals in need of a home. A Facebook group is most commonly used for communication, where announcements and requests for help are posted.

Facebook group: Tatlisu Rescued Dogs - all you need to know!

Summary table

How to do it

If you want to adopt an animal from a shelter

1. Choose the nearest shelter, rescue center, or volunteer organization and contact them in advance by phone, e-mail, or through their website.
2. Clarify which animals can currently be viewed and what the visiting hours are.
3. Ask about the animal's condition: age, vaccinations, sterilization, behavioral traits, and the possibility of moving them to another city or abroad.
4. If you live in rented accommodation, check in advance whether pets are allowed under your lease terms.
5. After taking the animal, clarify recommendations for veterinary check-ups, feeding, and adaptation in the new home.

If you have found a stray dog

1. First, assess the animal's condition: does it need urgent veterinary care?
2. Contact the nearest shelter, municipal center, or rescue organization and describe the situation.
3. Clarify if they can accept animals immediately, if prior arrangement is needed, and if you can bring the dog yourself.
4. If the shelter is full, ask for advice on local volunteer groups or temporary foster homes.

Other existing initiatives

In addition to the listed shelters and rescue organizations, there are other local animal aid groups in Northern Cyprus. In some areas, rescue and rehoming announcements are published on Facebook groups and through volunteers who oversee specific animals rather than on separate websites.

Frequently asked questions

Are there shelters specifically for cats in Northern Cyprus?

It is not always easy to find dedicated standalone cat shelters. In practice, cats are more often helped through volunteers, temporary foster homes, and rescue groups rather than through large stationary shelters.

Can I just visit a shelter without calling?

It is better to contact the shelter first. This helps clarify visiting hours, rules for surrendering animals, and the availability of staff or volunteers on-site.

Where am I most likely to adopt a dog from a shelter?

For this, KAR, FARC, the Lefkoşa shelter, the municipal centers of Girne and Famagusta, as well as contacts from Hope 4 Pets, Tatlisu Rescued Dogs, and İskele volunteers are usually suitable.

Can I help a shelter if I am not ready to take an animal home?

Yes. Donations, food, equipment, help with transportation, walking dogs, publishing rehoming notices, and temporary fostering are usually accepted.

Are there shelters in every city in Northern Cyprus?

Animal aid exists in major cities and municipalities, but the format varies. In some places, it is a municipal shelter; in others, a rescue center; and in some, a volunteer group without a separate stationary website.

Where to turn if I find a puppy or an injured dog?

The most practical approach is to start with the nearest municipal center or a large rescue organization. If there is no space, they will usually suggest volunteers or temporary foster care.