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Greece: New Animal Bill Set To Curb Surging Population Of Street Dogs And Cats

  • March 13, 2021
  • News
Greece street dogs

In Greece, literally millions of free-roaming cats and street dogs live in constant fear of poisoning, starvation, sickness, collisions with vehicles, and random acts of brutal cruelty. Network for Animals (NFA) hopes a proposed new law will make sterilization mandatory and stem the tide of animal abandonment, abuse, and neglect.

The introduction of mandatory sterilization and ear notching of all pets has been received with mixed reviews. While the amendments are a step in the right direction, many exceptions have sparked concerns. Greece is notorious for its poor implementation of already existing animal welfare laws.

Under the new law, owners have two months from birth for pets to be registered and three months to sterilize them or face a €1,000.00 ($1,194 or £860) fine. However, the proposed new law is immediately weakened because of a wide range of exceptions.

David Barritt, executive director of NFA, says his organization has worked for six years helping street cats and dogs throughout Greece and, even if the bill is passed, things will not change until the authorities change their attitudes. “We are constantly shocked by the lack of concern shown by local and national authorities for street animals. Existing laws are frequently ignored, prosecutions for animal cruelty are rare, and complaints to police not acted upon.”

He said that while the new law is a small step in the right direction, Greece lags far behind other European countries in taking animal welfare seriously. There are more than a million street dogs in Greece, and in impoverished communities, veterinary services are often unavailable making even basic implementation of laws impossible. What needs to be done is for the authorities to do their jobs and enforce the laws. We are not hopeful that this will be done.”

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Lisa-Mari Spence

Leadership Gifts Officer

Lisa-Mari was raised in South Africa and joined the NFA team as the UK fundraiser after relocating to Greece. With a background in public relations and a passion for helping animals her role at NFA is a perfect match.

Alissa Ford

Director of Leadership Gifts, USA

Alissa is the Director of Leadership Gifts in the United States. She has a background in nonprofit fundraising and marketing, but believes all paths led her to Network for Animals, where she is able to combine her professional experience with her personal passion for animal welfare. Alissa lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and her fur-baby Ollie, who is treated like the prince he thinks he is, since his human brother and sister are grown and now living on their own. Alissa loves speaking to our supporters who she truly considers a community of fellow animal lovers.