A cat colony in a Cypriot prison. There are already about 60 of them.

Between 50 and 60 stray cats currently live in Nicosia Central Prison. There are so many animals that the prison administration and representatives of the Party for Animals have agreed to launch a sterilization program for the entire colony.

Sterilizing cats in a Cypriot prison is the first and most urgent measure to stem the growing number of cats. Funding will be necessary, however, and the animal rights organization emphasizes that the responsibility for securing this funding rests with the state.

First, sterilize all cats

The problem of the cat colony was the topic of a meeting between representatives of the Party for Animals and the acting director of the prison, Maria Siali, and her colleagues.

It was agreed that the first step would be to sterilize all cats housed within the prison. The prison administration and the organization will work together to secure the necessary funds to implement the program.

However, the Party for Animals believes that funding should be provided by the state, as the cats are housed on the premises of a controlled public institution. According to its representatives, the action should begin as soon as possible.

The cats will be counted and tagged

Sterilization alone doesn't end the plans for the animals. The organization has proposed creating a comprehensive system for managing the prison's feline population.

Each cat would be registered and electronically tagged. The plan also includes identifying locations within the facility where specific groups of animals operate.

Their feeding will also be monitored. Instead of leaving food in random places, fixed feeding stations will be established. This will allow for easier monitoring of the number and condition of the cats, while also reducing problems related to uncontrolled food spoilage.

Research, treatment and adoption

Proposed actions include regular veterinary checkups and treatment for sick animals. Some cats could also be included in an adoption program run in cooperation with registered animal welfare organizations.

The project would be implemented based on cooperation between the prison administration, veterinary services and animal protection organizations.

According to the Party for Animals, the solutions used in the central prison could later become a model for other closed or controlled state facilities where larger colonies of homeless cats are created.

There is currently no date for when sterilization will begin, nor is the amount of funding needed. The first step will be to secure funding and conduct a thorough inventory of the colony.

Sources: Cyprus News Agency, ANT1.