A major animal welfare group in Cyprus claims that a large part of the country's pet shop industry is breaking the law. The Animal Party Cyprus states that most stores selling live animals do not have the required government license. Because of this, the national Veterinary Services have given these unlicensed shops an ultimatum. They must become legal by the end of this year or they will face serious punishments.
The problem is a basic rule that is being ignored. By law, anyone selling animals must get a special license from the Veterinary Services, which is responsible for animal health. However, research shows that many shops are not following this rule. It is estimated that there are about one hundred businesses selling pets and pet products. Of these, only forty are confirmed to have the proper license. This means around sixty shops are currently operating illegally.
This situation is happening while Cyprus deals with a serious animal overpopulation crisis. The island has a big problem with abandoned animals, and private shelters are always full. The Animal Party Cyprus sees this crackdown as part of a larger need for change. They argue that people should adopt pets from rescue centers instead of buying them from shops. They believe commercial sales make the overpopulation problem worse.
The government has now set a clear deadline of December 31st. Shops still operating without a license after this date will face immediate action. They will be banned from selling live animals, although they can still sell pet food and other supplies. They may also receive heavy fines of up to one thousand euros. This two-part strategy aims to force businesses to obey the law while giving them one last chance to comply.
Looking ahead, if the rules are strongly enforced, the way people buy pets in Cyprus could change significantly. Many shops may stop selling animals. The Animal Party says it will watch the process closely to ensure the deadline is effective. Their wider goal remains to encourage the public to choose adoption. Success will be measured not just by more shops getting licenses, but by seeing fewer abandoned animals in the country's overwhelmed shelters.