On the edge of Empa (Petridia) near Paphos, the A.I.R.S. Foundation runs a registered charity dog shelter that rescues, rehabilitates, fosters and rehomes abandoned, neglected and vulnerable dogs. Its motto says it all: every dog deserves a family.
Whether you live in Paphos, are on holiday in Cyprus, or are thinking of adopting a rescue dog from abroad, this guide covers where to find the shelter, when you can visit, how adoption works and how you can donate.
About the A.I.R.S. Foundation
A.I.R.S. is a registered charity (Charity No. PAF/I/8) founded and led by Keith Newman. The team looks after dogs of every age: puppies, young adults, adults and seniors, many of them mixed breeds who have been waiting a long time for a home.
The shelter relies entirely on adopters, sponsors, volunteers and donations. It works with partners and supporters in Cyprus and across Europe, especially Germany, where many of its dogs find their new families.
Location and Contact Details
| Name | A.I.R.S. Foundation (Charity No. PAF/I/8) |
| Shelter address | Agiou Lamprianou Street 10A, 8250 Empa Petridia, Paphos, Cyprus |
| contact@airs-foundation.com | |
| Website | www.airs-foundation.com |
| Charity shop / postal address | Keith Newman, A.I.R.S. Charity Shop, Papakosta Leonida 12/1, 8220 Chlorakas, Paphos, Cyprus (use this address if you want to send items) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps |
Visiting Times
According to the shelter’s website, visiting hours are daily from 10:30 to 13:00, or by appointment.
Want to walk one of the dogs? In summer the best time is the last two hours before sunset. Please use the contact form on the A.I.R.S. website to arrange your first visit. Regular walks keep the dogs happy and healthy, and are a great way to spend a morning or evening in Paphos.
Tip: hours can change, so a quick email before you drive out is always a good idea.
How to Adopt a Dog from A.I.R.S.
- Browse the dogs on the A.I.R.S. website. They are grouped into puppies, young adults, adults and seniors, and some long-stayers have a reduced adoption fee.
- Complete the adoption questionnaire on their website so the team can find the right match for you and your home.
- Meet your dog during visiting hours or by appointment.
- Sort the paperwork and travel – dogs leaving Cyprus need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. A.I.R.S. also has a Flight Sponsors programme to help get dogs to their new families overseas.
Still deciding? Our article Why Adopt a Shelter Dog or Cat? explains what makes rescue dogs such wonderful companions.
Adopting from Paphos: Getting Your Dog to Europe
Many Paphos rescue dogs end up in Germany, the UK and elsewhere in Europe. All flights leave from Larnaca, and that’s where Flight Parent can help:
- Learn how it works in How it works and Becoming a Flight Parent.
- Check the upcoming flights for available space.
- No flight volunteer? Our Animal Flight Companion service escorts your dog from Cyprus to Europe.
- Check the airline pet policies, rent a crate, and see the Larnaca animal check-in procedure and the new crate regulations.
- Need a lift to the airport? Our pet taxi service also does pickups from Paphos to Larnaca airport.
- See where other dogs have flown to in our past rescue flights.
How to Donate to A.I.R.S.
The shelter’s running costs are roughly €2,500 per month (land rent, food, support services, waste disposal and winter heating), so every euro counts. A.I.R.S. offers several ways to help. Please always check the official A.I.R.S. donate page before sending money, in case details have changed.
Bank transfer
- Recipient: Mrs Yvonne Kathleen Miles (Vice President of A.I.R.S.)
- IBAN: LT03 3250 0514 4967 4858
- SWIFT: REVOLT21
- You can add a payment reference to say what your donation is for, for example a dog’s code and name.
Credit card or Apple Pay
Donate quickly via Revolut. Note: this link accepts a maximum of €300 within 24 hours, so please use a bank transfer for larger gifts. There is also a PayPal donate button on the donate page.
Sponsor a dog or a puppy
- Puppy sponsorship (€150): covers a health check, dewormers, three vaccinations, microchipping and food for the first three months, and you get to name the puppy.
- Sponsor a specific shelter dog: support a dog you like, using the dog’s code and name as your reference.
- Monthly general donations: help cover the shelter’s running costs.
Full details on the A.I.R.S. sponsorship page.
Donate food through partner Petz Stuff
A.I.R.S. has partnered with the Cyprus pet shop Petz Stuff, which delivers food donations directly to the shelter:
- Visit PetzStuff.shop and choose the food you want to donate.
- Use the reference “Donation for A.I.R.S.” with your order.
- Use the code welcome10 at checkout for an extra 10% off.
- Petz Stuff delivers your donation directly to the shelter.
Material donations
The shelter keeps an Amazon wishlist of urgently needed items. You’ll find the link on the A.I.R.S. donate page. You can also bring blankets, towels and other supplies to the shelter, or send them to the charity shop address above.
Partners and Friends of A.I.R.S.
A.I.R.S. is supported by a wide network of volunteers, flight sponsors, foster families and businesses. Besides Petz Stuff, you can meet the wider “Friends of A.I.R.S.” and see current fundraising events on the A.I.R.S. website.
In September 2026 the foundation also organised the Long Stay Legends Dog Show in Empa, an event that gave long-stay shelter dogs from shelters across Cyprus the spotlight and introduced them to potential adopters. Follow A.I.R.S. to hear about the next one.
More Ways to Help
- Walk a dog – book your first visit via the contact form.
- Foster – a temporary home makes a huge difference to a dog’s confidence.
- Fly a dog – become a Flight Parent and take a dog with you on your flight from Larnaca.
- Spread the word – share dogs looking for homes with friends and family.
Looking for other shelters? Browse all our shelter listings, including the Paralimni Dog Shelter and Williams Dog Shelter in Parekklisia.
Visiting Cyprus with your own dog? See our pet-friendly hotels in Cyprus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the A.I.R.S. Foundation dog shelter?
The shelter is at Agiou Lamprianou Street 10A, 8250 Empa Petridia, Paphos, Cyprus.
What are the visiting hours?
The shelter lists daily visiting hours from 10:30 to 13:00, or by appointment. For dog walks in summer, the last two hours before sunset are best, and your first visit should be arranged through their contact form.
Can I adopt from A.I.R.S. if I live outside Cyprus?
Yes. Many A.I.R.S. dogs are rehomed abroad. Dogs travel with a microchip, rabies vaccination and EU pet passport, and a Flight Parent or flight escort can bring them from Larnaca to you.
How can I donate to A.I.R.S.?
You can donate by bank transfer, Revolut (card or Apple Pay) or PayPal, sponsor a dog or puppy, buy food through partner Petz Stuff, or send items from the shelter’s Amazon wishlist. See the donation section above and the official A.I.R.S. donate page.
Please note: shelter details, bank details and visiting hours can change. Always confirm them directly with A.I.R.S. before visiting or sending a donation. Flight Parent is not affiliated with the A.I.R.S. Foundation.