In August 2022, a cat was brutally shot repeatedly at point-blank range with a shot gun in the Kakopetria area of Cyprus. A woman discovered the cat, initially believing it to be dead, and was about to bury him when she noticed signs of life. She rushed him to a veterinary clinic, where he was treated for dehydration and hypothermia. The cat's face and body were riddled with shotgun pellets.
The poor cat miraculously survived, spending 19 days at the vet clinic. Marina Niaou adopted him, naming him Monte Christo, and now cares for him at her animal shelter, Patch of Heaven Animal Haven.
This horrific acto of animal cruelty is not an isolated incident. Cats and dogs in Cyprus are often subjected to savage acts of cruelty, including beatings, hangings, mutilations, poisoning, drowning, amputation of limbs, dragging behind vehicles, crushing, castration, beheading, skinning alive, starvation, abandoned in remote locations, set on fire, stabbings.
Marina has over a hundred cats at her shelter. Living on-site without electricity makes her life harder, especially in the summer heat. But like so many dedicated animal rescuers, she loves her cats and is happy to make many sacrifices for them.
Unfortunately, there are too few animal rescuers and carers in Cyprus, and most are overwhelmed and struggling to cope. The situation is made more dire with 1.5 million stray cats compared to 1.2 million Cypriots. Many inhabitants consider cats as "vile vermin" and treat them accordingly.
Caring for so many cats is expensive, and many of them require regular treatment and special diets due to various illnesses. If you can, please support Marina. She is always very appreciative of any donations-no matter how small-she receives for her cats. You can donate to her PayPal: m_niaou@hotmail.com or Revolut: 99541320 (or use Revtag @marinamh0c).
No animal should endure such barbarity, especially in a European Union country like Cyprus, which is supposed to be civilized. How has Cyprus descended to such a deplorable level of moral and ethical deprivation? To make matters worse, punishment for animal abusers is rarely enforced.
We must raise our voices and put an end to this appalling cruelty. The world must unite in condemnation and demand immediate action to help these innocent animals. Please share this post to spread awareness and help bring about change.
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