Alpha News

Cat Abduction Ring Allegedly Operates in Cyprus

Published February 12, 2026, 14:29

Animal welfare activists are expressing concern over the systematic disappearance of cats across Cyprus, which appears to be due to an organized ring that kidnaps the animals and sells them abroad. Volunteer Maria Kyriacou described an incident where a woman, identified by her car's registration number, trapped cats she had been caring for for years using traps. Despite reports to the police, the case was not addressed immediately. The police contacted the woman, who denied the charges and claimed that the cats had been returned, while volunteers report that the animals have been transported to Germany. Ms. Kyriacou alleges that the police are supporting the woman's actions and have refused to take a statement. According to information, the ring operates throughout Cyprus, targeting mainly sterilized cats, which are sold for profit in countries such as England and Germany, where they can fetch 400 euros each. There are fears that the cats are being used for experiments or in Satanic practices, as reported in a BBC article. The animals are transported in black vans, and the police initially seem to disregard the reports, but recently the attitude has changed.