TO: The P.M. of Greece Mr. K.Mitsotakis

        The Minister of Internal Affairs Mr Makis Voridis

        The Minister of Agriculture Mr George Georgantas

Mr Prime Minister, Mr Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Minister of Agriculture,

For the purpose of aiding the stray animals in Greece, we established the group known as Greek Strays for Expats in Greece. Since the beginning of our group, private rescuers and volunteers have identified stray animals that have been neglected and/or abused. These volunteers gather the animals, care for them, spay them, and work to place them in good, loving homes where they can live out their lives. This is a historical practice, and the public authorities have thus far ignored the enormous and ongoing problem that it has created.

The current Greek government introduced Law 4830/2021 to the Parliament for a vote in 2021, which is currently in effect, and which outlines the duties of the various Public Authorities, 

Unfortunately, some Greek municipalities have not yet complied with the law's provisions. The municipality of Komotini is one of these. According to the local group Friends of Strays in Komotini, there are 350 or more stray dogs living at the restricted waste disposal location in Komotini, feasting on the trash. Some of the dogs are killed by the trucks that dump the trash there or become poisoned by the chemicals that are placed there, while others suffer untreated illnesses. The same group claims that throughout the years, the Municipality has consistently refused requests from private rescuers and volunteers to access the waste area, gather the dogs, neuter them, and treat them, and then eventually give them to be adopted. The number of dogs in the neighbourhood of the rubbish dump would have been much lower if this had occurred. The Komotini Municipality and the Public Shelter Authorities have been ignoring their responsibilities for years. 

The waste area will be shut down in a few days, leaving the nearly all-unsocialized, phobic canines behind to become city strays. How much can private volunteers and rescues gather and manage?

We implore you, Mr Prime Minister, Mr Minister of Internal Affairs and Mr Minister of Agriculture, to become involved in this situation and uphold the law in the Komotini Municipality.

We are pleading with you to order them to immediately construct suitable stray dog shelters where they will house the strays, provide them with food and care, and spay them until they are adopted. To best serve the welfare of these souls, they should collaborate with local animal-loving organisations. We are all aware that the Greek Government provides substantial funding to the municipalities in Greece for the care of stray animals. These individuals ought to take responsibility for the previous years and begin making payments right away.

Dear Prime Minister, Ministers of Internal Affairs and Minister of Agriculture, Greece's treatment of animals has unluckily earned it a bad reputation worldwide. Correcting and reversing this situation is in everyone's best interest, especially the animals.

We sincerely appreciate your consideration and assistance.

With sincere thanks,

Greek Stray Dogs for Expats in Greece

The group's administrators

P.S.: Our Group, through this petition, is not asking for donations and there is nothing financially gained whatsoever.

The Administrators of Greek Strays for Expats in Greece