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- Ελληνικά
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment announces the Animal Welfare Awards 2021.
The State Animal Welfare Awards, which has been established for the first time by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to honour the important work of individuals and organisations that promote the protection and welfare of animals in our country, while also highlighting the important place that animals have in our lives. Through this institution, we honor not only the awardees, but all our fellow citizens who understand our duty to animals and make efforts to protect them.
1) Outstanding Animal Rescue Award. Awarded to an individual, group of individuals or organisation for rescuing an animal in distress.
The award is presented to. Ms. Metziti took them to a private veterinarian where they were diagnosed with leishmaniasis. One of the two was also diagnosed with kidney failure. Mrs. Mezziti covered most of the costs of the animals' care and maintenance. The matter was reported to the police and the case was taken to court (the owner was charged with a two-month suspended prison sentence). Chance unfortunately did not make it, but Miracle got well and was forwarded for adoption overseas.
(b) Shelter volunteers StrayHaven (NieskeDeJong, Paula Fletcher, Mark John Phillips and Sam Taylor) for rescuing a dog and her puppies from a sewer
Volunteers from the Stray Haven shelter in Paphos province spotted a dog and six puppies in a sewer near a busy road. After many attempts they first managed to pick up four of the six puppies, and then the mother, while the remaining two had penetrated deep into the sewer. Due to the confined space, to pick up the last two puppies, one of the volunteers was dragged into the sewer. All the puppies were treated and then sent for adoption in England. The mother was found to have scabs on her abdomen and required increased care. She is currently living in Cyprus with a foster family who are looking after her.
2) Award for outstanding service or rescue from an animal. It is awarded to an animal whose actions have assisted in the care or rescue of a human being.
The award is presented to the detection dogs and their handlers of the K-9 Team of the EMAK.
The K-9 Team of the EMAK has the mission of locating and rescuing persons from inaccessible or dangerous places.
The K-9 Team of the EMAK has the mission of locating and rescuing persons from inaccessible or dangerous places. Valuable collaborators and assistants of this team, in carrying out its mission, are the detection dogs at its disposal, which in adverse conditions, and often at the risk of their lives, offer their services to rescue people in danger. In August 2020, after the devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, members of the K-9 team accompanied by detection dogs participated in a mission to search for trapped and/or injured persons. The degree of difficulty was very high, as fertilizers as well as large quantities of drugs were scattered throughout the search area. There was also a danger from sharp surfaces and from explosions of insecticides under the debris. However, the excellent cooperation of the handlers with their dogs and the trust of the dogs towards their handlers, acquired through continuous training, led to the avoidance of unwanted situations and accomplished their mission.
3)Outstanding Animal Shelter Award. Awarded to one private and one community animal shelter that provide excellent care for abandoned and stray animals.
The award for private shelter is presented to:
ShelterStrayCatsMalcolm Cat Protection Society
Malcolm Shelter was founded in the 1980s by Mr. Malcolm Stevenson, a retired Major. It started in the Lady's Mile area of Limassol, initially as a simple feeding place for stray and abandoned cats and has grown into a remarkable shelter that can accommodate around 200 cats. The shelter was moved to its current location in Akrotiri in 2002. It has a medical facility, food preparation area, and separate areas for small kittens, cats with special needs, and for maternity care when needed. A network of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to provide the shelter cats with the best level of care. At Malcolm, every cat is vaccinated and receives proper veterinary care, and a constant effort is made to find suitable housing for the cats.
The award for community shelter is presented to:
Unified - Temporary Dog Shelter of the Municipalities of Nicosia, Strovolos, Aglantzia, Egkomi, Agios Dometios and Lakatameia
The Municipalities of Greater Nicosia (Nicosia, Strovolos, Aglantzia, Egomi, Agios Dometios and Lakatameia) created this joint shelter in 2009 for the care of stray dogs, in order to comply with the provisions of the Dogs Law. The site was inspected by the Veterinary Services and, based on guidelines provided, the municipalities proceeded to renovate and improve the shelter, which was completed in 2015. The new shelter became operational on 1 April 2015 and to date has accommodated 2566 dogs. Efforts to place dogs for adoption, both within and outside of Cyprus, are ongoing and as a result the largest number of dogs have been adopted. Currently, 65 dogs are housed at the site.
4) Animal Friendly Farm Award. It is awarded to the owner of a production farm that emphasizes animal welfare.
The award is presented to the owner of the free-range egg production farm Mr. Glafkos Schiza.
Mr. Glafkos Schiza's farm is active in the production of free-range eggs and is located at the Philippos Farm in Evrychou. For the best possible treatment and welfare of the poultry, the farm is tree-lined with olive trees, pine trees, sycamore trees and vines and is sown with seasonal grasses that form part of the daily diet of the free-roaming poultry on an area of 25 decares.
5) Award for outstanding enlightenment for animals. It is awarded to a natural or legal person who is the owner, editor or producer of an information medium that systematically contributes to the promotion of animal protection and welfare.
The prize is awarded to the contributors of the RIK television information programme 'Look into my eyes'. Production execution: MediaboxLtd. Credits: Elmos Neocleous (director-producer), Giorgos Pittas (text-narration), Tasos Archontidis (cinematography), Jean-Paul Sacy (music).
The programme "Look into my eyes" has systematically contributed to the promotion of animal protection and welfare during the last year. It has presented a variety of topics and has been very popular with the public. The show presents unique stories of people and animals, emphasizing the role and work of shelters, while highlighting the shortcomings of our society in relation to animal welfare. Along with the TV shows, the show "Look into my eyes" also maintains a Facebook page where all the shows are also presented. In this way, it communicates directly with the public.
The awards will be presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in a simple ceremony on 31 March 2022.
(MB/SX)
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