The plan of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development (YGAAP) and the Environment for free marking and registration of dogs was implemented from yesterday, August 1st.
The plan is valid for four months, from August 1 to November 30, 2019, and aims to cover approximately 20,000 dog markings nationwide.
The president of the “Voice for the Animals of Cyprus” Mary Anastasi urges citizens to take advantage of the plan to be legal, since according to the Law on Dogs of 2002, marking is mandatory to issue a residence permit. He also emphasizes that now is the opportunity, since the procedure is offered for free, since then they will have to go to a private veterinarian and pay a respectable amount. At the same time, Ms. Anastasi draws the public's attention that after the passage of the Law on Dogs, there will be an out-of-court order of 200 euros for those who do not mean their dogs.
The plan concerns on the one hand all the citizens who are interested in marking their dogs. In other words, only natural persons who are dog guardians can participate. On the other hand, it concerns animal welfare organizations and will cover the marking and registration of stray dogs. The marking and registration in the Dog Register will be carried out by the Veterinary Services on Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the following points:
- Nicosia Veterinary Office: 22805241
- Limassol Veterinary Office: 25819512
- Agricultural Veterinary Station of Avdimos: 25814326
- Larnaca Veterinary Office: 24821275/24821276
- Skarinou Agricultural Veterinary Station: 24322358
- Paphos Veterinary Office – 26821261
- Agricultural Veterinary Station of Polis Chrysochous: 26815226
- Famagusta Veterinary Office: 24824555.
In order to carry out the marking, the owner must present his identity card and the updated health booklet of his dog. In addition, for the purpose of facilitating the residents of the communities who wish to participate in the project, visits of officials of the Veterinary Services for dog marking can be arranged on the spot, provided that in consultation with the Cyprus Hunting and Wildlife Federation and animal welfare organizations visit will mean at least 50 dogs.
Changes for hunters
In another development, and especially with regard to hunting dogs, we remind you that it was decided to revise the legislation on hunting licenses. Specifically, for the issuance of a dog license in hunting, a statement of the dog's identity (name and microchip number) that will accompany each hunter will be a condition, based on what is being promoted. There will also be penalties for hunters accompanied by unmarked and undeclared dogs. Interior Minister Konstantinos Petridis, answering a question from George Perdikis on the issue, in the context of parliamentary control, said that the bill has been prepared and is in the process of public consultation, and the goal is to be submitted to Parliament before the start of the new hunting season.
