PROTECTION OF PETS AND STRAY ANIMALS IN GREECE
06 August, 2004

With one of the most progressive legal framework and action plan in the European Union,
the Greek Government has called upon all Greek people to take on the responsibilities of
Law 3710/03, so that pets and stray animals can be dealt with in the most humane and
effective manner.
Under the threat of harsh penalties for those who mistreat or abandon animals,
Law No. 3710, passed by the Greek Parliament last year, requires pet owners to
register and identify their animals. It provides the means for local authorities to neuter, vaccinate, identify and release strays, and the funds for extensive public campaigns to educate people on responsible pet ownership and to promote love of animals. Under this law, all animal abuse complaints are directly and immediately dispatched to the Public Prosecutor.
In addition, the amount of 4 million Euros has been provided by a recent Ministerial Decision
for the establishment and modernization of animal shelters, particularly for local government entities (municipalities, rural communities, prefectures etc.) and for outlining operating regulations for such shelters. The decision also includes the first-ever regulations for pet shops, a continuously growing sector in the country.
During the last few months, with the cooperation of local authorities and animal protection societies, all stray animals have been collected, sterilized, vaccinated, tagged and the healthy ones have either been returned to their natural environment or have been adopted.