Local authorities in Paphos are stepping up efforts to establish a stray dog shelter for the district, with the government pledging €250,000 in support and a 2027 opening targeted.
Acting Mayor of Paphos Angelos Onisiforou told Phileleftheros the issue is being treated as a priority, citing the lack of suitable premises to date and the growing scale of the problem.
The push follows a meeting held on May 13 at the Paphos Municipal Hall, chaired by Onisiforou, which brought together the four mayors of Paphos district, a representative of the Paphos Communities Association, Environment and Animal Welfare Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou, Natasa Michaelidou, and Alexandros Oriettas, representatives of animal welfare organisation Simba Animal Aid.
The meeting confirmed strong interest in creating a modern temporary shelter that would serve all municipalities and communities in the Paphos district. Theodosiou, addressing the gathering, said the government intends to back the effort with €250,000 in funding.
Local bodies have since begun intensive research and contacts to prepare the ground for a final decision on a location, Onisiforou said, reiterating his intention to move ahead swiftly so the shelter can open within 2027.
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