In Cyprus, a nation of just over one million people, it’s not uncommon to spot more cats than humans on the street. Officials estimate there’s at least one feral cat per person on the island — and some animal welfare groups believe the actual number is much higher.

This Mediterranean paradise, known for its beaches, ancient ruins, and relaxed lifestyle, is also becoming famous for something less idyllic: an uncontrolled cat population that’s putting strain on the island’s infrastructure, environment, and animal welfare systems.

The question now facing authorities, conservationists, and residents alike: Can Cyprus rein in its runaway cat population — and should it even try?

Why Are There So Many Cats in Cyprus?

Cyprus has a deeply rooted connection with cats, stretching back nearly 10,000 years. Archaeological evidence suggests it may have been the first place where cats were domesticated. A 2004 dig uncovered a Neolithic grave where a cat was buried alongside a human — the oldest known evidence of feline domestication.

This bond carried into modern times. A 4th-century legend holds that Saint Helen shipped cats to Cyprus to fight a deadly snake infestation. Today, the island remains a sanctuary for felines, with food dispensers and makeshift cat shelters dotting hiking trails, parks, and city sidewalks. Tourists love them. Locals feed them. But no one’s quite sure how many of them exist — and that’s a big part of the problem.

What’s the Current Approach to Managing the Feral Cat Population?

The government has had a sterilization program in place for years, but by most accounts, it’s woefully underpowered.

• Annual sterilizations: ~2,000 cats
• Annual budget: €100,000 (~$117,000)

By comparison, estimates place the feral cat population in the hundreds of thousands. Activists and veterinarians argue that at this pace, sterilization efforts can’t keep up with breeding rates — especially as more kittens survive thanks to human intervention.

Recognizing this, Cyprus’s Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou announced on World Animal Day (October 4) that the sterilization budget would triple to €300,000. Conservationists welcomed the news, but many warn that money alone won’t fix the issue.

“There has to be a plan,” said Charalambos Theopemptou, chairman of the Parliamentary Environment Committee.

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Why Is This a Problem Beyond Just Numbers?

Feral cats may look cute lounging in a taverna courtyard, but an unchecked population creates real-world challenges.

1. Environmental Impact

Cats are apex predators, even in urban settings. When their numbers swell, they can devastate local ecosystems, particularly bird populations and reptiles. On an island like Cyprus, where biodiversity is limited, this ecological imbalance is especially dangerous.

2. Animal Welfare

Many feral cats suffer. They dodge traffic, scavenge for scraps, and face disease without veterinary care. Overcrowded sanctuaries and volunteer groups are overwhelmed, unable to cope with the influx.

3. Public Health and Safety

Large numbers of stray animals in urban areas raise concerns about sanitation and zoonotic diseases — illnesses that can jump from animals to humans.

What Needs to Change?

Experts agree that Cyprus’s cat population is a manageable problem — if handled strategically. But key changes are needed.

A. Expand and Simplify Sterilization Access

Demetris Epaminondas, head of the Cyprus Veterinary Association, says a decentralized, streamlined approach is crucial. His proposal includes:

• Identifying urban “cat hotspots”
• Enabling private clinics to offer free sterilization without bureaucratic red tape
• Launching a smartphone app so the public can report high cat concentrations

The idea is to empower citizens and animal welfare groups to participate in sterilization efforts without navigating complex government systems.

“People will be more motivated to get cats neutered if we make it easier for them to do so,” Epaminondas said.

B. Involve Conservation Groups

Currently, the government funds municipalities, which then hire veterinarians. But frontline work — catching cats, transporting them, monitoring colonies — is often left to underfunded nonprofits and volunteers.

Eleni Loizidou, head of Cat Alert, a group caring for strays in Nicosia, described recent efforts to sterilize 397 cats as barely making a dent.

“Too few females are being caught,” she explained, noting the difficulty in trapping cats in dense urban areas.

Animal advocates are pushing for conservationist groups to have a formal role — and funding — in the expanded sterilization initiative.

C. Legalize and Regulate Cat Sanctuaries

Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou is working on a long-term strategy that would bring together government agencies, local municipalities, veterinarians, and volunteer organizations. One of the goals: legalize private cat sanctuaries, which currently operate in a legal gray area.

Is There a Path Forward?

Yes — and it’s not as long as one might think. Epaminondas believes Cyprus could control its cat population within four years, but only if:

• A nationwide plan is implemented,
• Private vets and citizens are empowered to act,
• And the government removes logistical hurdles while encouraging donations to share the financial burden.

At current rates, sterilizing a female feral cat costs €55 (~$64). With a well-coordinated plan, this cost could be reduced or spread across private and public funding sources.

The expanded budget may also incentivize corporate and individual donations, especially if results begin to show quickly.

Why It Matters — and What’s at Stake

For a country where tourism makes up nearly 20% of GDP, cats are part of the appeal. They’re featured in travel blogs, social media feeds, and tourist brochures. But letting their numbers spiral could shift perception from charm to chaos.

More importantly, Cyprus has a chance to set an example: balancing animal welfare, ecosystem health, and tourism appeal in a sustainable way.

“There are solutions,” said Loizidou. The challenge isn’t a lack of ideas — it’s turning those ideas into action.

TL;DR

Cyprus, home to one of the world’s densest feral cat populations, is grappling with a growing feline crisis. While the government recently tripled its sterilization budget, experts argue that money alone won’t solve the problem. A unified national strategy — involving private vets, conservation groups, and community input — could help the island humanely and effectively manage its cat population within a few years. With ancient ties to feline companionship and a tourism industry that embraces them, Cyprus has both the motivation and responsibility to lead on this issue.