Press release from Paphiakos Animal Welfare Charity

Monday, 1^st February 2010

Christine Panayiotou, founder of the island’s largest animal welfare charity, was presented last week with the annual Hearts of Gold award for 2009.

She accepted the honour from Savvas Vergas, the Mayor of Paphos, at the Town Hall, saying as she did so that, “This award is not for Christine Panayiotou.This award is for all the staff and supporters of Paphiakos. Thank you for this symbol of respect for our work in this area, which is at last becoming accepted.”

Paphiakos Animal Welfare Charity was founded in 1982, and became a registered charity in 1994. Thus, for over 30 years,Christine has battled,sweet-talked and lobbied for the rights of every kind of animal in Cyprus. Starting at a time in Cypriot history when few, if any, animals were domesticated,a time when people were struggling to feed themselves and  without the resources needed to care for the welfare of non-productive animals, Christine Panayiotou faced an uphill battle.

The same uphill battle continues today and Christine still works tirelessly to gain full recognition and financial support from the  government for the work she carries out 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. As well as her hands-on work at both the  animal welfare clinic and the animal shelter Christine Panayiotou is currently serving her fifth term as an elected member of the Paphos Animal Welfare Committee. In addition to this she liaises with, and works in full co-operation with all the relevant government bodies, something she has been doing for many years.

Christine Panayiotou is adamant that she is not simply an animal collector. Her first, and over-riding, focus is on disease control in animals,

birth control in domestic animals and the prevention of any and all unnecessary suffering in any animal, no matter how large or small. Believing that education is the key to the next generation being more responsible towards the welfare of animals Christine has instigated a schools’ education programme. However,money has still to be found to enable the creation of a fully-comprehensive, island-wide education programme for both native Cypriots and the ex-patriot communities.

Christine Panayiotou has always believed that animal welfare should be above religion and politics, with no questions asked about a person’s individual circumstances.This is becoming ever more relevant to the increasingly multi-national make-up of Cyprus today. The Gold Award, the latest in a long line of largely unsung awards made to Christine Panayiotou will be used to good advantage. Her hope is that it will attract sufficient funds to begin, in co-operation with various government bodies, the establishment of a purpose-built animal shelter and for use by the whole country.  At the moment this is still a dream, as is the time when everyone in Cyprus wakes up to the importance of animal welfare within our society.  But with Christine Panayiotou’s determination,  experience and commitment driving it, it will happen

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