There are plenty of wonderful dogs here that are desperate for loving homes so you will have no problem finding the right dog for you when you arrive in Cyprus. Please keep my details and contact me, even if i it is a few years from now as I know lots of people that are always rescuing dogs and need to find good homes for them. (
www.cypruscatrescue.co.uk - our email address is on th site)
Unfortunately yes cats and dogs get poisoned every day here in Cyprus because locals can just go and buy it off the shelf. There has been petitions for years to stop this happening. When walking dogs you must always keep them on the lead and make sure they don't pick anything up off the street to eat - I seem to hear that beaches are on of the worse places for poisoning. Many cats get poisoned around restaurants and hotels and apartment blocks. You have to choose wisely on where you will live when you come here. Make sure it is an animals friendly neighbourhood.