FAQ

1. On the website it says that the adoption's expense compensation consists of among other things "vaccines, testing for infectious diseases, flea, tick and deworming medication". Can you elaborate on what vaccines, tests and medications are given to the cat as a part of the process? What of it is mandatory and do you do anything extra routinely on top of those?

Answer: The only mandatory thing is the rabies shot. In addition to that the cats are vaccinated against calici (FCV), herpes (FHV-1) and parvo. They also get an anti-echinococcus treatment and treatment against fleas, roundworm, lungworm, heartworm and ear mites. That, and the basic deworming for tapeworms and hookworms. The testing for infectious diseases refers to the FeLV and FIV-test (feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus).

2. Isn't there enough homeless cats in Finland, when you have to haul cats all the way from Cyprus?

Answer: A homeless cat is a homeless cat no matter their country with the difference that a homeless cat in Finland usually has a roof over their head, water, food and someone taking care of them. In Cyprus, a country of 1.2 million people there are 1.5-2 million homeless cats and no shelters where one could take them. In Cyprus the cats simply disappear and cease to exist in quiet, if private people don't help them. The number of local adoptions is vanishingly small, so adopting abroad is the only lifeline for most of the cats there.

3. I found a cat in Cyprus I would like to help. Do you take these in?

Answer: Unfortunately we lack the capacity to take in cats from all around Cyprus. We operate in Nicosia where we have a queue of around 50 cats waiting on the streets to get into our adoption program. We love it that you want to help though! Vet is usually the first stop and cat carriers in Cyprus are very inexpensive. If you need the help of locals you can find that, for example, in a Facebook group called "Cyprus Cats Who Need Homes Or Help!".

4. I found a cat in Cyprus I would like to adopt. How do I do this?

Answer: Start by taking the cat to a vet. Before travelling to Finland they will need a microchip, rabies vaccination and a passport. We recommend getting the combination vaccines as well, treating the cat against fleas, ticks and endoparasites and testing at least FIV and FeLV (feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus). The rabies vaccine can be given to a cat at the age of 12 weeks at the earliest and it has to be 21 days old before the cat's flight. If you're not staying this long in the country yourself you will need a place for the cat for this time period and because the volunteers have their hands full, a cat hotel is your best bet. When the 21 days has passed after the rabies vaccine you can fly with your cat to Finland. If you find a flight parent instead, remember to take care of TRACES documentation as well since this is considered a commercial import. You can read more about pet transport between EU countries at the website of our Food Authority, here. If the cat travelling with a flight parent is under 6 months of age you will also need a contract detailing the transfer of ownership between you and a local operator (foster home, organization etc.) done before the flight. More information on this at the website of our Food Authority, here (only in Finnish for the moment). You can always ask more questions from us as well, we're happy to help.

5. Can I donate money to your organization?

Answer: Our fundraising permit is only at a stage of planning at the moment, but you can always make purchases in our store. All profits from our merchandise will go to helping the cats of Cyprus unshortened. For example, when you buy a bag and a mug, we will be able to neuter a cat in Cyprus. You can also join our organization here.

Our partner organization P.A.W.S. accepts money donations as well. Instructions at the bottom of the page, here.

6. Can I donate cat supplies to your organization?

Answer: Yes please! We are in constant need of cat food, wood pellets and toys.