**Larnaca Pushes for Animal Shelter Funding in Meeting with Commissioner**
Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras held a meeting with Environment Commissioner Elias Myrianthous on Friday to discuss pressing environmental issues and animal welfare in the district. The meeting, which took place in Larnaca, focused primarily on the treatment of abandoned animals, alongside other environmental concerns such as solid waste management and flood protection measures that the municipality is currently implementing.
A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the urgent need for a temporary shelter for stray dogs in the district. Both Vyras and Myrianthous acknowledged that the establishment of such a facility would require increased funding from the state to municipalities. The proposed shelter aims to address the growing number of abandoned dogs in Larnaca, providing a safe haven until more permanent solutions can be implemented.
In the interim, the officials agreed to explore the possibility of extending the operations of private dog shelters that have not yet secured the necessary building permits. This approach aims to alleviate the immediate concerns regarding stray dogs while longer-term plans for the official shelter are developed.
The meeting also addressed the ongoing cat neutering scheme, with Mayor Vyras advocating for an increase in the budget allocated to this initiative. The officials recognized the importance of controlling the cat population in the district and discussed the need for better oversight of designated feeding and watering stations for stray animals. They emphasized the necessity of public information campaigns to ensure that feeding is conducted responsibly and only at approved locations.
The discussions between Vyras and Myrianthous are part of a broader initiative to improve animal welfare in Larnaca. This meeting follows a previous gathering last week, where Myrianthous met with representatives from veterinary services to outline plans for expanding the national cat neutering scheme starting in October.
As the meeting concluded, both sides agreed to maintain open lines of communication as they work on the proposed initiatives. The collaboration between the municipality and the commissioner’s office is seen as a crucial step toward addressing the challenges of animal welfare and environmental management in Larnaca.
The push for enhanced animal welfare measures reflects a growing awareness and concern for the treatment of abandoned animals in Cyprus, highlighting the need for effective solutions that involve both local authorities and state support.