One of the first things I noticed as I settled into my new home in Cyprus was the constant presence of these feline companions. Everywhere. They gracefully roam the streets, sleep inside my trash can, sit perched on the top of my stairs and find shade in my balcony. They have become a part of my daily life. They sleepily greet me as soon as I wake up and get ready to work, one eye opened, watching me lazily get to my bike; they are there on my lunch break, demanding scraps and gentle ear rubs, and finally they await me on the stairs as I head back home. Surprisingly, I have slowly come to realize that I have become a cat person, and that every day, by learning more about them, I become even more so.
Cats have been an integral part of the Cypriot culture and landscape for centuries. Their presence is so ubiquitous that they outnumber the human residents of the island, reaching the staggering number of 1.5 million. Cats have become woven into the fabric of Cypriot society and hold a special place in the hearts of Cypriots, with their prowess and independence they have integrated themselves into the daily lives of the island´s inhabitants.
In fact, the first evidence of a cat having a close relationship with humans is the discovery of 9,500 year-old Neolithic remains in Shillourokambos, of a human and a cat who were buried together. Another example of this ancient connection is the St. Nicholas monastery, built in 325 B.C. Legend says that this monastery was overrun by poisonous snakes, and in order to get rid of this plague, St Helena had 1000 cats delivered on ships from Egypt and Palestine. The story attributes the presence of cats on the island to these cats.
The respect for these animals is translated into the country’s legal framework. The Law on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, enacted in 1994, not only imposes penalties for acts of cruelty and neglect, but also provides a framework for animal welfare organizations to advocate for the well-being of cats and other animals. The fines for violating the law and incurring prohibited actions that cause harm, were raised in 2020 with the amendment of the law. Where the maximum fine was 2000€ now it stands at 20,000€. This shows the elevating importance given to animals in Cypriot society, as well as the reduced tolerance in crimes that concern them.
Still, it is important to state that Cyprus has an overpopulation of stray cats. In 2023 the Cypriot government invested 100,000€ in cat sterilization in a trap-
neuter-return (TNR) program, an amount that has been said to not be nearly enough to tackle the problem.
As Cyprus navigates the complex interplay between tradition, legislation, and societal responsibility, one thing remains clear: cats will continue to hold a cherished place in the hearts and homes of Cypriots for generations to come, and apparently, also in mine.
Amidst these challenges, animal welfare groups and NGO’s continue to advocate for the rights of these creatures. A great example of the commitment to animal preservation is the Cat Sanctuary created by the Malcom Car Protection Society in Limassol.