The government’s free dog microchipping programme continues until November 30 at district veterinary offices, the Agriculture Ministry said on Wednesday and urged all those interested to participate.
The scheme was launched on August 1 as part of efforts help tackle Cyprus’ huge problem with stray dogs.
About 20,000 dogs will be microchipped for free until November 30.
The microchipping and registration of the dogs on the register is being carried out for free by the veterinary services on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 am and 1 pm at their district offices as follows: Nicosia district vet office (tel 22805241), Limassol district vet office (tel 25819512), Avdimou rural vet office (tel 25814326), Larnaca district vet office (tel 24821275/24821276), Skarinou rural vet office ( tel 24322358), Paphos district vet office (tel 26821261), Polis Chrysochous rural vet office ( tel 26815226) and Famagusta district vet office (tel 24824555)
The owner of the dog is required to show an ID, the completed form, and the dog’s updated vaccination booklet.
Those who bring dogs that do not belong to them must have the ID of the owner and a written authorisation.
To facilitate residents of communities wishing to participate in the scheme, vet department officials can visit their communities to microchip dogs. These are arranged after consultation between the Vet Services and the district branches of the Hunters’ Association and local authorities.
Moreover, microchips have are now also being made available to animal shelters. Animal shelters are asked to inform the vet services how many dogs they wish to have microchipped and the name of the private vet who will be microchipping the dogs.
Hard pressed animal shelters are struggling to cope with thousands of dogs which are abandoned every year, many of them hunting dogs that are dumped.
Authorities have been promising more action to improve animal welfare in Cyprus, including through harsher penalties for animal abuse, but little progress has been seen so far.
Authorities are also requiring that a hunter present proof their dog is microchipped in order to secure a licence to hunt with a dog.
https://in-cyprus.com/scores-of-dogs-microchipped-as-free-programme-gets-underway-video/
