SAVE THE VOICELESS

Animal welfare practices are open and international. Charities in developing counties and countries with large numbers of stray animals depend on adoptions in Europe, the USA and Canada. Many animals from Eastern Europe, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Cyprus are adopted across Europe. Many animals from Latin America and the Bahamas are adopted in the USA and Canada. Many dogs from Thailand, South Korea and the horrible dog meat market in China are rescued and adopted in Europe, the USA and Canada. The terms and conditions for these adoptions are very strict, and so are the home checks. And when they do happen, these adoptions are unconcealed and transparent. Unfortunately, it is only in Greece that the meaning of the word ‘adoption’ is distorted. It is only in Greece that ‘adoption’ is referred to as ‘trade’ – as if Greece is on a different planet
In all countries of the European Union, animals can easily – and legally – be transported using the TRACES system, which, as the EU directive foresees, acts as a safety net during the transportation of animals for commercial or adoption purposes. As its name suggests, it is a system that can ensure an animal can be tracked and traced – from the moment it leaves a country to the moment it arrives at its new owner. With it, the veterinary offices of the destination countries receive all necessary information on the animal’s origin, arrival and new owner. Unfortunately, in Greece, and only in Greece, this simple process of using TRACES to issue the necessary documentation is extremely complicated, making the adoption of strays impossible for European citizens. Why? Why can the TRACES system be used for animals that we trade for profit – from goats to eels – but not for strays? Have the voices of the insane reached the authorities? Does the Greek state believe that its European partners engage in bestiality? Why won’t the state support the legal charities, facilitating the transportation and adoption of strays?
We struggle daily, trying to co-operate with our municipalities, our local authorities and the regional veterinary authorities. We ask for very little and are given nearly nothing – not in food, spaying and neutering or veterinary care – nearly nothing in support. Yet we keep fighting out of our love for animals. And instead of having the respect of the local authorities for the work we do, the state is an obstacle, even when it comes to adoptions.
The animal welfare movement is huge internationally, counting millions of people from all over the world. The people, in Greece and abroad, who have been following and trusting us for years are several hundreds of thousands. They trust us because our actions are open and public, our work clear-cut and honest, and our dedication indisputable.

We call on:

The Prime Minister to openly discuss with us – the people who are fighting to make this country a better place; the people in the front line.

The Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food and the Ministry of the Interior to facilitate our work, rather than becoming an obstacle by misinterpreting laws and issuing incomprehensible bulletins.

The Local Authorities and Municipalities to collaborate with their local charities – those whose volunteers’ untiring efforts help improve the quality of life of local citizens and animals alike. We do recognize that some local authorities are indeed working with and standing by volunteers. We are grateful to them for this, but unfortunately, they are the exception, not the rule.

The Embassies to clarify what should be self-evident, and to restore the reputation of their countries and their citizens. They can contact us for further information or clarification.

Greek Citizens to once again stand by our side; to come meet us in person, see our work, visit our websites, read our stories, offer voluntary work and help us fight for a better future. We are not faceless beings that hide behind social media profiles. We are people like you. We are volunteers. We have jobs, families, problems and personal lives just like everyone else. Those of you who have met us already know this very well.

European Citizens to react; to contact their embassies and to help restore the truth as well as their own reputation.