Animal Protection Organisations and Sanctuaries

Information and contact details for national animal protection and welfare organisations, plus pet rescue centres operating in Cyprus...

The Cyprus Association for the Protection and Care of Animals is a charity associated with the RSPCA and WSPA. It manages the PAWS Dog Shelter.

The British Forces Animal Welfare Society (BFAWS) is an organisation providing refuge and re-homing for dogs and cats. Their shelter is funded through charity fundraising, donations and the sale of promotional items on their website (caps, T-shirts, mugs, baby clothes, the Christmas calendar).

  • British Forces Animal Welfare Society Trust (BFAWS Trust)
    At: Waterloo Road, Dhekelia Garrison, Larnaca
    Tel: 24 744432

BARC (British Forces Animal Rehoming Centre) is a volunteer-run animal rehoming organisation and pets available for rehoming can be viewed on the website. It does not take in stray dogs and cats but rather works specifically to rehome cats and dogs that must be left behind when the owner leaves Cyprus. Advice on pet travel is available.

  • BARC (British Forces Animal Rehoming Centre)
    At: Building 720, Norfolk Hill, Episkopi 
    Open: Monday to Saturday. 08:00-12:00 
    Tel: 2596 3733

Paphiakos & C.C.P. Animal Welfare is an independent animal welfare organisation providing many services including a dog shelter, boarding and training facilities and fund-raising charity shops.

  • Paphiakos & C.C.P. Animal Welfare
    At: 12 Dedalos Building, 8049 Kato Paphos (head office)
    Tel: 26 946461
    Fax: 26 222236
    Clinic: 26 953496 (open 07:00-19:00)
    Animal Rescue - Tel: 26 935018
    Emergencies - Tel: (genuine emergencies only) 99 655 581

The Nicosia Dog Shelter is a registered charity housing up to 300 dogs. Dogs are available for adoption; all have a health check and are vaccinated. Lost/found dogs are also kept here.

  • Nicosia Dog Shelter
    At    : 30C, Germanou Patron Street in Makedonitissa/Engomi, Nicosia. Enter through the UN check point; call Sharon to arrange access with the guard
    Office: 22 357 005
    Emergency    : 99 868 512 (Sharon)
    Rehoming    : 99 520 511
    Open: Monday to Saturday 10:00-16:00 (visitors welcome)

The Malcolm Cat Protection Society (MCPS) is a charity that operates a cat sanctuary with cats available for adoption. Volunteers are always welcome. It has an active calendar of fund raising events.

Animal Responsibility Cyprus (ARC/Kivotos) is an organisation that visits schools and lobbies government for animal rights.

The Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary houses over 100 donkeys that were neglected,  abandoned or could no longer be cared for by their owners. This charity operates through the donations of visitors.

  • Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary
    At    : 4772 Vouni Village, Limassol District
    Tel: 25 944151 (Administration) 
    Tel: 25 945488 (Visitor Centre) 
    Fax:  25 942582

The Argos Animal Rescue & Protection Association is animal sanctuary in the village of Ormidhia. It aims to rescue stray and unwanted animals, offer medical care to ailing strays, assist low-income families in getting their pets sterilised, investigate animal abuse, re-home abused animals and spay/neuter feral cats. Funds are raised from two charity shops in Paralimni and Agia Napa and through various charity events throughout the year. Argos can also take donations of Carrefour and Orphanides points. To find out how, visit the Argos website

PARC (Peyia Animal Rescue Club) helps sick or injured homeless animals, treats and finds new homes for them. The club has no boarding facilities, but foster the animals in their care in private homes. They also run a trap neuter and release programme.