The response from the relevant agencies and animal welfare organizations to the proposal by the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment regarding the electronic tagging (microchips) for stray cats that are spayed or neutered through the Pan-Cyprus Spay/Neuter Program and to create a digital platform for recording stray animal management activities, according to an announcement issued Thursday by the Commissioner’s Office.

The proposals were discussed during a coordination meeting convened on Tuesday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, Antonia Theodosiou, following a letter from the “Voice for the Animals of Cyprus” (CVA).

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Veterinary Services, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the Animal Police, and the Federation of Animal Welfare Organizations.

As stated in the press release, the discussion focused on the implementation of island-wide spay-and-neuter programs for stray cats, the challenges faced by animal welfare organizations and volunteers, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation among the relevant stakeholders.

During the meeting, the contribution of animal welfare organizations and volunteers to the success of spay-and-neuter programs using the Trap-Neuter-Return (Trap-Neuter-Return – TNR), as they largely take on the tasks of trapping, transporting, caring for, and returning stray cats to their original environments.

According to the data presented, approximately 2,200 cats are neutered annually through the Pan-Cyprus Neutering Program.

As noted, the Commissioner also briefed participants on the proposals included in the Action Plan for the Welfare of Companion Animals, which has already been submitted to the relevant ministries. Among other things, the Plan calls for increased funding for cat spay-and-neuter programs, the creation of a similar program for dogs, and the use of modern tools for more effective management of stray animals.

At the same time, Ms. Theodosiou expressed concern that cats sterilized through the existing program are returned to their environment without electronic tags, which makes it difficult to track and monitor their management.

As noted, “the proposals to implement electronic identification (microchips) in stray cats that are spayed or neutered through the Pancyprian Spay/Neuter Program and for the creation of a digital platform to record these actions were met with a positive response from the participants.”

The Federation expressed its agreement with the inclusion of electronic tagging in the program, while the Veterinary Services noted that the issue should also be examined in the context of the new European regulation on owned and stray animals, while also pointing out that the potential addition of microchipping could affect the number of spay/neuter procedures.

The meeting also discussed the need to establish a process for recognizing and authorizing volunteers participating in TNR programs, with the aim of facilitating their work and strengthening their cooperation with the relevant agencies and local authorities. At the same time, the Federation expressed its intention to develop training programs for volunteers, with the support of the Commissioner’s Office and the participation of local government.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to continue coordination among the involved parties and to advance the proposals discussed, with the aim of implementing spay/neuter programs more effectively and improving the management of stray animals.