The Larnaca-Famagusta Development Company (ANETEL) held an awareness and training event on Saturday, May 23, on caring for pets, birds and wildlife during climate-related emergencies, as part of the ACT4ALL project and in cooperation with Cyprus Civil Defence.
The event, hosted at the Larnaca Civil Defence facilities, brought together members of animal welfare associations, volunteer groups and members of the public with an interest in animal rescue and care. According to the organisers, it was designed in response to the growing frequency of crises facing local communities as a result of the climate emergency, including wildfires, extreme heatwaves and flooding.
Presentations by Sonia Filippou and veterinarian Rhea Kirpi of the K9 Management Studies programme at Nicosia City Unity College — with the assistance of four-legged participants Oreo, Isaak, Diva and Linda — covered the safe approach to dogs and cats during a natural disaster and included a practical first aid demonstration focusing on CPR techniques, wound care, and the treatment of choking, heatstroke and hypothermia.
A separate session on birds and wildlife, presented by Konstantinos Antoniou, a small and exotic animal veterinarian and associate of the Game and Fauna Service, drew considerable interest and a large number of questions, according to the organisers, highlighting a gap in public awareness in this area. Wild birds are increasingly found exhausted and dehydrated on beaches due to extreme heat and water scarcity, the organisers noted, while wildlife is also being affected by wildfires.
The ACT4ALL project is expected to carry out further related activities, including 60 hours of training for 100 volunteers. ANETEL is inviting anyone interested to help shape the training programme by completing one of two questionnaires:
Volunteer questionnaire: https://forms.gle/sSo9Wa2HKyZ2jpwf8
Volunteer questionnaire (animal specialists): https://forms.gle/BeQmpcDpNYXJTGrx9
The project is funded under the INTERREG VI-A Greece-Cyprus 2021-2027 Cooperation Programme.
(information from CNA)