By: Augusta Tate

Cyprus is known as the “island of cats” due to its large population, which outnumbers the human population by just a few thousand. There are an estimated 1.5 million cats on the island, which seemed unbelievable to me at first. Before the trip, when I was researching online, people had raved about the cats in Cyprus, so I knew what to expect. However, I didn’t fully realize just how abundant the cats really are here, especially in Larnaca.

Upon my first arrival, I could tell that most of the cats here are friendly and can be pet (with caution, of course), some are skittish and keep to themselves. Some just cannot be bothered as they are too busy basking in any available shade to keep away from the extreme sun. If you do pet a cat, it’s best to have a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you to protect yourself from any germs they may be carrying.

 The cats in Larnaca live both on the streets and with people, but even the street cats seem to be taken care of,. In front of shops, the workers will place small water and food bowls for them. Or they will hang out around certain buildings and reside there,, much like bodega cats. Then they are also taken care of by the kindness of strangers, even tourists who will buy cat food from any kiosk and feed them. During the daytime,, the cats will make themselves scarce due to the heat, but will be more frequent in the streets at nighttime.

If you are wondering if they can be taken back home, the short answer is yes. However,, the process of bringing a cat from another country is a lengthy one, as they need to be checked by a veterinarian, and then quarantined for a few weeks before being flown to the U.S. It’s not impossible,, but itefinitedefinitely require be a lot more effort than most people would think.

It’s obvious how much the people of Larnaca, and indeed all across Cyprus, take pride in their cats,, or at least they are aware of their popularity with tourists. At every souvenir shop, you’ll find cat-themed tote bags, mugs, towels, shirts, and many other cat-related gifts for sale. However, the people here also have a genuine affection for the cats,, as it is a cultural practice to feed and care for them, even if they don’t own them. Several organizations and shelters help rehome stray cats, whose population size is growing at a high rate. A rising issue in Cyprus is keeping the cat population sterilized;; however, the government has been making stridesstrides by funding 100,000 euros a year to help with the problem. Sanctuaries have also been established to help house the hundreds of cats on the island, such as Malcolm’s Cats, located in Limassol.