What Simba Animal Aid Cyprus does

Simba Animal Aid Cyprus is a non-profit dog welfare organization founded by Natasa Michaelides following the death of her dog Simba, operating the Nicosia Unified Pound shelter in Palaiometocho on behalf of six municipalities (Nicosia, Aglantzia, Strovolos, Lakatamia, Engomi, and Agios Dometios). The organization rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes stray dogs in the Nicosia district, currently housing more than 120 dogs at a facility designed for 60, and has rehomed over 200 dogs since 2022. Approximately 80% of adopted dogs are placed internationally, primarily in the UK through a Freedom Flights program and partner rescue Stronger Together Animal Rescue.

The organization's core services include dog adoption (with screening, home checks, and veterinary requirements), a foster care program, a recurring "Sponsor a Dog" donation program, volunteer coordination, donation collection (via PayPal, Revolut, Eurobank, Bank of Cyprus, and Hellenic Bank), educational resources on responsible dog ownership, and a Lost & Found service for the Nicosia district. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, corporate partnership campaigns (e.g., Inglot Cosmetics' 15% of October sales, Bean Bar's 20% of festive menu proceeds), corporate sponsorships (ORB Communications, Thanos Hotels & Resorts), and adoption fees that cover vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.

The business model is community-led and volunteer-driven, with marketing executed via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Viber, celebrity/athlete photography campaigns featuring Cypriot Olympic athletes, press coverage, and corporate campaign activations. There is no proprietary technology; the organization runs standard shelter operations with manual adoption applications and direct community engagement. It has no venture capital, private equity, or parent-company backing, operating as an independent nonprofit under the leadership of President Natasa Michaelides, who also serves as Director of Corporate Relations and Communications at Thanos Hotels & Resorts.

Name

Simba Animal Aid Cyprus

Legal name

Simba Animal Aid

Website

https://simbaanimalaidcyprus.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Simba Animal Aid Cyprus is a non-profit dog shelter operating the Nicosia Unified Pound for six municipalities, rescuing and rehoming stray dogs in Cyprus with 80% placed internationally, funded by donations, corporate partnerships, and adoption fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Lost & Found, Reunification & Microchipping Programs (BPAGAIAL), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Dog shelter operations
• Pet adoption services
• Animal welfare programs
• Non-profit animal care

Headquarters

HQ city

Nicosia

HQ country

Cyprus

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters, one-time contributions and recurring pledges through PayPal, bank transfers (Eurobank, Bank of Cyprus, Hellenic Bank), and Revolut.
2. Corporate Partnerships: 15% of sales donated from partners like Inglot Cosmetics during campaign periods. Corporate sponsorships from companies like ORB Communications.
3. Adoption Fees: Fees covering vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and ongoing care.
4. Dog Sponsorship: Monthly or one-time sponsorship of specific dogs covering food, medical care, and shelter operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Simba Animal Aid Cyprus runs the Nicosia Unified Pound, rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs from the Nicosia district municipalities and rehoming them through a structured adoption process. Its services include dog adoption with screening and home checks, a foster care program, per-dog sponsorship, volunteer engagement, donation collection, and a lost-and-found service, supported by educational content on responsible dog guardianship.

Product overview

Simba Animal Aid Cyprus operates as a non-profit dog shelter organization managing the Nicosia Unified Pound. Their product portfolio centers on animal welfare services including dog adoption (connecting stray dogs with adoptive families through screening and home checks), foster care (temporary homes with covered veterinary costs), dog sponsorship (financial support for individual dogs), volunteer coordination, and donation collection via PayPal, Revolut, and bank transfers. The organization also provides educational resources on responsible dog guardianship and operates a Lost & Found service for reuniting lost dogs with owners. The shelter accommodates over 120 dogs despite being designed for 60, with the goal of avoiding euthanasia while rehoming or fostering animals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dog Adoption Services Facilitates adoption of stray dogs from the Nicosia Unified Pound through an online application, screening, home check, and veterinary preparation (vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping), connecting prospective adopters with rescued dogs in Cyprus and abroad (notably the UK).
• Foster Care Program Matches dogs awaiting permanent adoption with temporary foster caregivers; the organization covers veterinary costs and supplies while the foster provides housing and daily care, freeing shelter capacity.
• Dog Sponsorship Program Allows supporters to provide recurring or one-time financial sponsorship for specific dogs, covering food, medical care, and shelter needs until the dog is adopted or rehomed.
• Volunteer Program Recruits and coordinates volunteers for dog walking, shelter care, administrative support, event coordination, and community outreach, including organized multi-day visits by international volunteer teams.
• Donation System Accepts financial contributions through PayPal (hosted donate button), Revolut, and bank transfers (Eurobank, Bank of Cyprus, Hellenic Bank), supporting one-time gifts and recurring pledges.
• Lost & Found Service Helps reunite lost dogs with their families and connects found animals with guardians searching for them, as part of operating the Nicosia Unified Pound.
• Nicosia Unified Pound Management Manages the unified pound owned by the municipalities of Nicosia, Aglantzia, Strovolos, Lakatamia, Engomi, and Agios Dometios, providing temporary detention, care, and rehoming of stray dogs for the Nicosia district.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ dogs successfully rehomed since 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stronger Together Animal Rescue & The Healing AnimalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2024UK volunteer team of 10 women visited Cyprus for 6 days, providing veterinary care and treatment to 400+ shelter dogs. Lordos Beach Hotel in Larnaca provided free accommodation for volunteers.
• Inglot Cosmetics CypruscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 October 2024Cruelty-free cosmetics brand donated 15% of October sales to shelter during World Animal Day campaign (Oct 3 - Nov 3, 2024). Fifty-two shelter dogs featured in social media campaign photographed by Haris Kyriakou and Damien Irakleidis. Inglot has stores in Mall of Cyprus (Nicosia), My Mall Limassol, Metropolis Mall Larnaca, and Kings Avenue Mall Paphos.
• ORB CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner participating in 'Sponsor a Dog's Journey' initiative, providing financial assistance for dog's food and medical care. Company backs NGO's effort to help shelter dogs find forever families as part of Corporate Social Responsibility program.
• Lordos Beach HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLarnaca hotel provided free full accommodation and meals for UK volunteer team during their 6-day visit to help at Simba shelter and other Cyprus animal welfare organizations.
• Bean BarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee chain operating within Alphamega Hypermarkets ran Christmas charity campaign 'One sip, one gift, one tail wag at a time', donating 20% of festive menu proceeds and collecting supplies (dog food, beds, blankets) for Simba Animal Aid.
• Nicosia Unified Pound MunicipalitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix municipalities (Nicosia, Aglantzia, Strovolos, Lakatamia, Engomi, Agios Dometios) jointly own and fund the Nicosia Unified Pound, with Simba Animal Aid managing operations. Shelter serves all six municipalities' stray dog management needs.
• Thanos Hotels & ResortscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury hotel group whose team supports Simba through shelter visits and fundraising activities. CEO Natasa Michaelides is President of Simba Animal Aid and Enavsma Foundation.
• Engomi MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized Dog Adoption Day at Municipal Dog Park (inside 2004 Olympiad Park) with slogan 'Until the cages are empty!' providing adoption services and microchip installation at reduced €10 price.
• Dr. Christina Pougare Veterinary ClinicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner veterinary clinic collaborating on adoption day event organized by Engomi municipality and Simba Animal Aid.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Blue Cross: UK pet charity offering rehoming, veterinary services, education, and pet bereavement support. Comparable service mix (rescue, rehoming, education) and donation-based funding; relevant as a UK-based destination/inspiration peer.
• Dogs Trust: UK's largest dog welfare charity operating rehoming centres, a fostering network, and education programs. Comparable mission and revenue model (donations, sponsorships, corporate partnerships), and a primary inbound destination for dogs rehomed by Simba through its UK pipeline.
• Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: Iconic UK animal charity with rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming services, plus extensive education and fundraising infrastructure. Comparable services (sheltering, fostering, sponsorship, education) and acts as a UK landing partner for some international rescue dogs.
• Four Paws International: Austria-headquartered global animal welfare organization with stray animal management programs in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Mediterranean regions. Comparable international stray dog focus, government engagement, and shelter management mandate.
• RSPCA International: Major UK animal welfare organization with international grant-making and animal welfare capacity-building programs in countries where stray management is a concern. Comparable mission scope (rescue, welfare standards, education) and serves as a benchmark for organizational scale.

Direct peers

• Last Chance Animal Rescue Cyprus: Smaller Cyprus-based rescue focused on rehoming dogs abroad, primarily to the UK and Germany. Directly comparable operating geography, similar volunteer/donation model, and overlap in target international adopter base.
• Soi Dog Foundation: Large-scale dog and cat welfare NGO in Phuket, Thailand operating a shelter with an established international adoption pipeline to the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. Highly comparable operating model to Simba: stray rescue, no-kill shelter, overseas rehoming as the primary outlet, community/donation funding.
• Stronger Together Animal Rescue: UK-based volunteer rescue group that has run trips to Cyprus shelters (including Simba) to deliver veterinary care. Comparable volunteer-led model with a UK–Cyprus rehoming corridor and acts as a real operational peer to Simba's international pipeline.
• Cyprus Animal Welfare Society (PAWS): Long-running Cyprus charity operating shelters and rehoming dogs locally and internationally. Comparable in mission (stray rescue, neutering programs, adoption), geographic scope, and reliance on overseas rehoming networks.
• Animals Cyprus: Cyprus-based animal welfare charity running a shelter and adoption program focused on rehoming dogs internationally, particularly to the UK. Operates in the same geographic market and competing donor/adopter pool as Simba Animal Aid Cyprus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/animalaidcyprus
• Instagraminstagram.com/simba_animal_aid_cyprus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simba Animal Aid Cyprus