FAQs

ADOPTING AND FOSTERING

How much does it cost to adopt?

The minimum donation for a cat is £150, plus the cost of an IATA-approved travel box (£50-75 for one cat) which you keep. Since the Covid pandemic, we have had to use these travel boxes.

Adoption fees for a dog start at £550, depending on the size and breed of the dog. However, the dog travel crates are returned to us, so there is no charge for dog crates. You will need to bring a crate to travel your new dog home.

How long does adoption take?

Our adoption process is quick and easy. First, complete an adoption form and email it back to us. We then chat about a suitable dog/cat for your family – various information is needed to match the right pet to your home.

A home visit is arranged and, if we’re both happy to go ahead with the adoption, you secure the dog/cat with the minimum adoption fee. It is non-refundable if you change your mind or for any other reason.

CPH preps all our pets with everything they need (a pet passport, neutering if old enough, vaccinations and microchip), so most are ready to fly on the next available flight. We book the animals on approx. one or 2 flights a month.

I’ve never had a pet before – can I still adopt one?

Yes, of course, you can apply for adoption.

How do I foster an animal?

Fostering is a great way to help an animal if you cannot offer a forever home – contact us for more details and a Foster Agreement.

Do you check prospective homes before agreeing on an adoption?

Yes – we have professional volunteers who will visit you at your home.

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OUR CATS AND DOGS

How old are the animals?

We can have cats and dogs of all ages, from newly-born kittens and puppies to older animals. It depends on what animals we have in the rescue at the time you are looking.

What breeds do you have?

Pedigree and mixed – what we have depends on the animals with us at the time, of course.

Are the pets vaccinated and neutered?

Yes – all our cats and dogs are spayed (females) or neutered (males) when they are old enough. They are also fully vaccinated, microchipped, and worm and flea treated. They are house-trained and also hold a pet passport, allowing them to be flown anywhere in the EU.

Do the pets have behavioural problems?

Most rescued dogs start their lives badly until we save them – they could be kept in cages or on chains/ropes, starved, abused, neglected, and/or abandoned. Even through all this, they still learn to trust, accept love and be good dogs.  

Some may take a bit longer to settle in a home, but as long as you give plenty of time, love, security and patience they will give you so much love and loyalty in return. All dogs need some training such as recall and obedience – some learn very quickly; others may take longer. We have never had an aggressive dog in all the years we have been rescuing.

Kittens, saved from the streets because they lost their mummy or are sick, are kept as house cats with us until rehomed. Cats saved from the streets because of injury or illness just need the same love and care as any other pet cat and will give you so much love in return. Some may be a little shy and need that extra time to settle but all make great family pets.

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FLIGHTS FOR REHOMING

Which countries can the animals fly to for rehoming?

We can fly pets to any European Union country. We mainly rehome to the UK but pets have gone to Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland.

How often do the flights go?

Once a month. The pets are booked to travel together in small groups because we need a “full group” to be able to fly.

Who meets the animals and new owners in the UK?

Volunteers from Cyprus Pride House will welcome new owners in the UK. This includes a final check, handing over the relevant documentation and introducing owners to their new forever furry friends. Pets and their new owners are then free to return home the same day. If you have problems getting to the airport to collect your pet, we can help with arranging collection.

Do animals still go into quarantine?

No. Since January 2012, European countries do not require any more quarantine for pets travelling between their countries. The procedure now is simply a rabies vaccination and a microchip, which we organise. Then, just 21 days after the vaccination, the animal can fly into the UK or any other EU country.  This procedure is known as a pet passport.

Why do you have to fly animals overseas to be rehomed?

Cyprus is overrun with stray cats and dogs. Animal lovers here already have too many adopted pets, and the shelters are full. There is nowhere for the poor animals to go, so we look to rehoming animals in the UK and other EU countries.

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DONATE AND SUPPORT

How can I donate?

You can donate via PayPal using your debit or credit card – just use info@cypruspridehouse.org as the email (and please choose the friends/family option). There is also a monthly fundraiser appeal – see our Facebook page for the link. There are also many other ways you can help!

I can’t afford to donate – can I do something else?

Yes! Simply change your search engine to EasySearch and raise money for us as you browse the internet.

You can also like our Facebook page and share our posts with your friends and family to help us spread the message. A simple like or share can make so much difference.

You can distribute our adoption posters to help us find homes and also to help us get the support we need. Here are all the ways you can help!

Can I set up a standing order?

Yes – please contact us for more details.

Can I come and volunteer with you?

Yes, we would be happy for your help. We’ve had volunteers from overseas come and stay with us here in Cyprus many times – read about volunteering. SUMMER 2023 update – paid workers are needed at the rescue.

I’m coming to Cyprus – can I bring items over for you?

Yes please – items are always needed. Just contact me beforehand and I’ll let you know what is most needed.

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ABOUT CYPRUS PRIDE HOUSE

Why do cats and dogs need CPH?

Unlike our pets and wildlife in the UK, the animals of Cyprus generally have a much harder life and are not cared for as we would expect. Due to the lack of shelters and the influx of stray cats and dogs, many need homes.

All the shelters here are full and, sadly, many animals get destroyed every week. CPH never destroys an animal unless it is suffering and cannot be saved.

How does CPH end up with the animals?

We find them – be it left on the side of the road, dumped in a dustbin and so on – or we are contacted for help.

Who treats an animal’s sickness/injuries at CPH?

We do, as much as possible. We take the animal to our local vets when an injury requires veterinary attention. Rehabilitation takes place with us as much as possible.

Where do the animals live at CPH?

In our home – they are our pets until new homes are found. We have cat pens for new cats needing to be quarantined until healthy. We also have dog houses and areas for the dogs to exercise, as well as the surrounding countryside for walks.

Do you rescue other types of animals?

We have rescued hedgehogs, birds, a tortoise and a terrapin, but this is rare. We also neuter/spay healthy stray/feral dogs and cats to try and help control the population.

How does CPH pay for everything?

Through donations and our own money. We need to pay for food, vet fees (medication, vaccinations, operations) and things like collars, bedding, bowls and everything else that animals need.

We desperately need your help so we can continue to rescue and rehome abandoned, sick and injured cats and dogs – find out how you can help.

How many pets have you rehomed?

Over 1,000! Read about some of our pets’ happy rehoming adventures in our guestbook or view our gallery.

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HELP AND ADVICE

I’ve found a sick or injured animal – what should I do?

Get the animal to a local vet ASAP. You can search the internet for the vet in the town you are staying.

Should I feed the strays that I see?

Something is better than nothing – it may give an animal a chance. See our Help and Advice pages for more help.

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Thank you to everyone for supporting CPH.