**Larnaca Joins 2026 Stray Cat Sterilisation Scheme**
Larnaca, Cyprus – The Larnaca Municipality has announced its participation in the Pancyprian Stray Cat Sterilisation Scheme for 2026, a program aimed at controlling the stray cat population across the island. This initiative will be executed by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The municipality emphasized that individuals and informal volunteer groups caring for stray cats can only participate in the scheme through local authorities or registered animal welfare organizations. A comprehensive list of these participating entities has been made available on the Veterinary Services' official website.
To ensure the effectiveness of the program, only licensed veterinarians with properly equipped clinics will be authorized to perform the sterilization surgeries and provide post-operative care for the cats involved. This measure is designed to guarantee the health and safety of the animals during the sterilization process.
In addition to the sterilization efforts, the municipality has issued guidelines regarding the feeding of stray cats. Residents are permitted to feed and provide water to stray animals, but only in designated areas established by the municipality. The local authorities have urged residents to adhere to these guidelines to maintain public health standards, particularly when feeding occurs outside of the specified locations.
This initiative comes amidst ongoing complaints regarding the destruction of stray cat feeding sites, with some residents alleging that police have been neglecting to enforce relevant laws protecting these areas. The municipality's participation in the sterilization scheme reflects a broader commitment to animal welfare and responsible management of the stray cat population in Larnaca.
As the program unfolds, local authorities are expected to monitor its progress closely, ensuring that both the sterilization efforts and feeding guidelines are effectively implemented. The initiative is part of a larger strategy aimed at addressing the challenges posed by stray animals in urban areas, fostering a more humane approach to animal welfare in Cyprus.
The Larnaca Municipality encourages community involvement in the program and invites residents to stay informed about the ongoing developments related to the stray cat sterilization scheme.