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How to Adopt a Dog in Cyprus: Process, Costs and Timeline

No middlemen, 0% commission — just you, the rescue, and a dog who needs a home.

Thinking about adopting a dog in Cyprus, but not sure what actually happens after you click 'inquire'? Here's the honest version: it's simpler than most people expect, it costs far less than buying, and every step exists to protect the dog — and you. This page walks you through the whole thing, from where the dogs come from to the day you drive home together.

€50–300

typical adoption fee — set by each shelter, depending on the dog

of the fee goes to withBobi — every euro stays with the shelter

All of Cyprus

adopters connect from every district — and on to the EU and UK

Where the dogs come from

Almost every dog you'll see on an adoption listing in Cyprus started in one of three places: a municipal pound, the street, or a home that gave them up. Strays are found on roadsides and in fields, hunting dogs are abandoned when the season ends, and families surrender dogs they can no longer keep. Rescues and volunteer fosters take them in, treat them, and — crucially — live with them long enough to know their real character. By the time a dog is listed, someone can tell you honestly whether she's good with cats, scared of motorbikes, or a couch potato in disguise.

What adoption costs

Most rescues in Cyprus ask an adoption fee of roughly €50–300. The amount is set by each shelter and depends on the dog — a young, fully vaccinated dog and an older dog who needed surgery won't cost the same. The fee goes entirely to the shelter, which has usually already paid for the dog's vet care, vaccinations, sterilisation, microchip and food while she waited for you — care that would cost far more if you started from zero. withBobi takes 0% of any adoption fee: the platform is free for adopters and free for rescues. If you're unsure what a specific dog's fee includes, just ask — a good rescue will itemise it happily.

How long it takes

There's no fixed timetable, and that's a good thing — it means the rescue is matching, not shipping. If the dog you've chosen is already sterilised, vaccinated and chipped, things can move quickly: an inquiry, a meet, a home check, and you're done. If she's still recovering from treatment, or too young to be sterilised, the rescue may ask you to wait until she's ready. Adopters come from all over Cyprus, and many rescues also rehome to the EU and UK, which adds travel paperwork to those adoptions. Ask the rescue for a realistic estimate for your dog — they'll tell you straight.

The cheap puppy ad is the expensive option

You'll see them on Facebook and the classifieds: puppies for sale, no questions asked. Here's what that price doesn't include: health checks, vaccinations, sterilisation, a microchip, or any idea of the puppy's background — and somewhere behind the ad, a mother being bred litter after litter. A rescue works the opposite way. They ask you questions, show you vet records, tell you the dog's faults as well as her charms, and take her back if it truly doesn't work out. If an ad wants money fast and asks you nothing, that's not a red flag — that's the whole flag.

Where withBobi comes in

withBobi isn't a shelter — it's Cyprus's animal-rescue platform, and it connects you directly with the people who know the dog. Browse the listings, send an inquiry, and you're talking to the rescue or foster themselves — most dogs are fostered around Limassol, at places like Robert's Sanctuary, with adopters coming from every part of the island. No forms disappearing into a void, no middlemen, and withBobi never takes a cut of the adoption fee. And if you ever find an animal in trouble, the SOS map at withbobi.com/sos takes a report in about 30 seconds — or call the rescue line on +357 94332799.

From inquiry to home: the four steps

Find your dog and reach out

Browse the dogs at withbobi.com/adopt or try the matching at /find. When one stops you mid-scroll, send an inquiry — it goes straight to the rescue. Tell them about your home, your schedule and any other pets. Honesty here saves everyone time.

Meet in person

Most dogs are fostered around Limassol, and rescues will happily arrange a visit. Take your time, bring the family, ask everything — how she is with kids, cats, car rides, being alone. The foster knows this dog better than anyone.

The home check

A volunteer visits or video-calls to see where the dog will live. It's not an inspection to pass or fail — it's a conversation about fences, balconies, other animals and daily routine, so the match works the first time.

Handover day

You'll sign a simple adoption agreement and pay the shelter's adoption fee (usually €50–300), which goes towards the vaccination, sterilisation, microchip, vet care and food already given. Then the best part: she hops in your car, and you take her home.

Somebody's waiting for you

The dogs on withBobi are vet-checked, fostered and known by name and character. Browsing is free, and withBobi takes 0% of the adoption fee — and one inquiry is how every adoption story starts.

See the dogs for adoption →

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