Cyprus Animal Protection Party: most pet shops operate without licenses

The Cyprus Animal Protection Party states that a significant number of pet shops on the island operate in violation of the law. According to the party, at least around 100 shops selling animals and pet food are currently operating in the country, but only about 40 of them hold the necessary licenses from the Veterinary Services.

The remaining shops, as noted in the statement, operate illegally — at least in the part concerning the sale of animals, birds and other living creatures.

The Veterinary Services, according to the party, have given the owners of such shops until the end of the current year to obtain all the required permits. Otherwise, they will be banned from selling animals (but not food) and may face a fine of up to 1000 euros.

The Cyprus Animal Protection Party reminds that for many years it has been advocating for a complete ban on the sale of pets in shops — especially dogs, cats and birds. Against this background, the statement stresses, the situation with overcrowded shelters and a huge number of abandoned animals makes further trade in animals “unfair and unacceptable,” when hundreds of dogs and cats spend 2–5 years in cages waiting for an owner.

In conclusion, the party states that it will continue to monitor the situation and develop its campaign under the slogan: “We don’t buy animals — we adopt them.”