April 4 is recognized globally as World Stray Animal Day, a day devoted to spotlighting the plight of millions of stray animals—mostly cats and dogs—roaming the streets. These animals often end up in such circumstances due to abandonment or because they were born into a life without a home.
In Greece, this date holds additional significance as the Ministry of Education has designated April 4 as Pan-Hellenic School Animal Welfare Day for primary and secondary schools. The initiative inspires students to participate in activities like visiting animal shelters, attending educational programs, and joining events that promote animal well-being.
Despite recent updates to Greece’s criminal code, which now classify certain acts of animal cruelty as felonies—some carrying mandatory prison terms—reports of mistreatment persist. Stray animals remain a pressing concern, with many enduring harsh conditions. Heartbreaking stories of malnourished, injured, or abused animals found along highways or discarded in trash bins continue to surface.
Beyond the struggles of stray cats and dogs, another distressing reality is the sight of donkeys and other equines tethered in isolated fields, often with little access to shade, food, or water. This scene is all too familiar to both residents and visitors. While some may hesitate to report such cases out of fear or uncertainty, there are actionable steps everyone can take to help.
What Can You Do if You Spot Stray Animals?
If you come across a stray animal, your first move should be to notify your local municipality. By law, municipalities are tasked with the care, collection, and registration of strays, overseen by the Animal Protection Department of the Ministry of the Interior, which mandates comprehensive stray animal management programs.
For additional support, reach out to a local animal welfare organization. Dogs’ Voice, a non-profit aiding 132 animal welfare groups nationwide, excels in crisis management and offers legal assistance for reporting abuse. Their website provides a comprehensive directory of local organizations, accessible here [insert link].
What to Do if You Witness Animal Cruelty
“Understanding what qualifies as abuse and knowing how to report it is essential,” said Christos Petkos, an animal law specialist, in an interview with in.gr. He advises that, depending on the situation, an initial step could be to calmly confront the animal’s owner, warning them that further mistreatment will be reported to the police. Pet owners must recognize that Greek law safeguards animals, and no instance of abuse should be ignored.
If you observe cruelty, you can report it via the Greek Police’s dedicated five-digit hotline, 10410, designed for animal protection concerns. Alternatively, contact the General Policing Directorate of the Hellenic Police at +30 213 1520450, which supervises the Animal Protection Department.
For more formal action, submit a written report at your local police station, including details of the abuse and supporting evidence like photos, videos, or witness statements. In these cases, the police will launch criminal proceedings automatically, with the prosecutor taking charge without needing a formal complaint.
Greek Animal Welfare Organizations: How to Help
Across Greece, countless animal welfare organizations work tirelessly to care for strays, providing food, medical care, and opportunities for adoption into loving homes. Supporting these groups can transform the lives of stray animals. You can contribute by adopting, fostering, donating, or volunteering.
Takis Shelter in Crete, for example, has been rescuing abandoned animals for over seven years. With a Facebook following of more than 627,000, they marked World Stray Animal Day with a poignant message about the “voiceless” and “forgotten” animals—those “still waiting.” Their post read:
“Today is World Stray Animals Day. For the forgotten. For the voiceless. For the ones still waiting. Today, we speak for them. Adopt if you can. Feed them. Sterilize them.
There are many ways to help the strays — and every single one matters.
And while we’re at it — don’t overlook the pigeons. They’re strays too. Silent, injured, starving… suffering right in front of us, yet almost invisible.”
Support Through Easter Bazaars
With Easter approaching, local animal welfare organizations often host bazaars to raise funds and awareness. These events offer a meaningful way to support their efforts. Here are some upcoming opportunities:
- April 5-6
- Woof Festival 2025: 10 AM – 8:30 PM, Pedion tou Areos Park (featuring 9 animal welfare organizations)
- Stray.Gr: 10 AM – 10 PM, Sputnik, Kerameikou 46, Metaxourgeio
- April 12-13
- SCARS – Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, Greece: 11 AM – 8 PM, Soft Skills, El. Venizelou 27, Ag. Dimitrios
By raising our voices and taking action, we can offer hope to “those still waiting” and work toward a future where no animal is left to suffer alone.