Animal Rescue Cyprus faces volunteer shortage and legal uncertainty

The Animal Rescue Cyprus shelter in Paphos is currently operating with a severe deficit of personnel, reporting only 11 volunteers compared to previous years. The facility, which is a private independent charity, manages approximately 1,350 animals including dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, goats, and rabbits. According to PR manager Sumani Ochse, the number of volunteers has dropped by 70 to 90 percent, leaving the remaining staff prioritizing basic needs like feeding and medical care over animal socialisation. Beyond staffing issues, the organization is involved in an ongoing legal dispute regarding the land it currently occupies. While the court case remains unresolved, there are vague plans to potentially relocate to Ayia Varvara, though the administrative details remain unclear. The shelter emphasizes that its daily operations must continue to support the animals regardless of these challenges. Urgent requests for volunteer assistance have been issued, specifically for the morning and evening shifts.